[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 77 (Monday, May 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING CHIEF STANDING BEAR ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 12, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
House Resolution 1043, which honors the life and legacy of Chief 
Standing Bear on the 100th anniversary of his death.
  Chief Standing Bear is an important figure in our Nation's civil 
rights movement. He was born in what is now Nebraska, where his tribe, 
the Ponca, was forced to leave by a Federal treaty in 1878. The young 
chief led his tribe to the Indian Territory of Oklahoma, an 
inhospitable region that killed many of his members, including his own 
son. Determined to bury his son on Ponca soil, Chief Standing Bear 
returned to Nebraska, where he was arrested by Federal authorities.
  His case went to Federal court in 1879, where prosecutors argued that 
Native Americans were not considered people under the Constitution. 
Impressed with Chief Standing Bear's impassioned defense, the judge 
ruled he was indeed a citizen with full Constitutional rights. Thanks 
to this significant legal precedent, the Ponca were allowed to return 
home and better lands were given to Native American tribes.
  Chief Standing Bear's story won the attention and sympathy of many 
throughout the United States. At a time when tribal rights were ignored 
and abused, Chief Standing Bear stood up for justice.
  On this 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death, I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to honor this man 
of courage and integrity and his important role in our Nation's 
continuing struggle for justice and equality.

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