[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MIKE HAMMAR, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2003

  Mr. CORDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mike 
Hammar, Sr., an exemplary Californian who passed away on August 6, 2002 
at the age of 57.
  Mr. Hammar was born on February 19, 1945, in Bixby, Oklahoma, and he 
grew up in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where he was surrounded by a large 
extended family headed by his Grandfather, Legus, with whom he was 
extremely close. As a child, Mr. Hammar was a natural athlete, 
excelling in football, basketball and baseball. In addition, Mr. Hammar 
was a skilled outdoorsman, participating in bass fishing tournaments, 
trap-shooting events, and black powder musket shoots. Mike Hammar also 
was talented in the world of music, playing with several local blues 
and county bands. He was a gifted songwriter and accomplished musician, 
proficient on several different instruments, but enjoying lead guitar 
and bass the most.
  In 1961, Mike Hammar moved to Atwater, California, and while 
attending Atwater High School he met his future wife, Joyce Cabezut, 
and after their marriage, Mr. Hammar was welcomed with open arms into a 
new larger family, as the Cabezuts loved him as one of their own.
  Mr. Hammar, a tribal member of the Creek Nation of Oklahoma, was best 
known for his service to local and national Native American 
organizations, where he worked tirelessly to improve the delivery of 
health care throughout California Indian country. To this end, Mr. 
Hammar diligently served many organizations including the Southern 
Sierra Miwuk Nation of Mariposa County, the MACT Indian Health Board, 
the California Rural Indian Health Board, the National Indian Health 
Board. He was also the Chief Financial Officer of the California 
Natural Resource Foundation.
  Mr. Hammar was no stranger to Washington, DC. He advocated to members 
of both his House and the Senate for support of Native American 
programs and was often contacted by both states and the federal 
government to give input on Native American issues.
  Mr. Speaker, Mike Hammar, Sr. was a man of many talents who loved to 
help others. His endearing personality and good nature yielded a wealth 
of warm relationships everywhere he went or worked and he is sorely 
missed by all those whose lives he touched.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in posthumously 
acknowledging the contributions and honoring the memory of a great 
Californian, an advocate for Native Americans, and a pillar of our 
society, Mr. Mike Hammar, Sr.

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