[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S9466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE PASSING OF WALTER NEVADA

 Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, on April 17, Walter Nevada, the 
oldest living Shoshone-Bannock tribal elder and remaining original 
allottee on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation passed away. He was 101 
years old. Walter was a distinguished member of one of the oldest 
tribes in Idaho. He was a religious man of wisdom respected by his 
people, a great teacher and leader.
  The government of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes has existed for many 
generations. Traditional tribal government was based upon small bands 
of closely related families. Today the tribes are organized as a 
sovereign government, providing many services to tribal members and 
non-Indians with revenues from agriculture, business enterprises, 
tourism and many other operations.
  Even though thousands of years have passed, the Shoshone and Bannock 
Tribes continue to leave an indelible mark on the ongoing history of 
North America and Idaho. One example is the recent successful endeavor 
of the Shoshone Bannocks to certify a tribal member as a Federal 
inspector of underground fuel storage tanks. This is the first time 
that this collaboration between a tribe and the Environmental 
Protection Agency has occurred, and demonstrates the Shoshone Bannock 
Tribes' commitment to working with the U.S. Government on the critical 
issue of ground water protection. Also, working in coordination with 
State and Federal agencies, the Shoshone Bannocks have an active air 
quality monitoring program. The tribe continues to successfully 
preserve its history and way of life, while recognizing and promoting 
its critical role in stewardship of the environment. I have been 
pleased to work with them in the past, and look forward to doing so in 
the future.

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