[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE KOSHARE INDIAN DANCERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2008

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Koshare 
Indian Dancers, who are celebrating 75 years of history and culture.
  The Koshare Indian Dancers offered refuge, hope, and a spirit of 
camraderie to boys during Depression-era America. In 1933, a group of 
young boys from southeastern Colorado decided to study the heritage of 
their area. They formed an archaeology and Indian club where they could 
study the history, culture and artifacts of the lower Arkansas Valley. 
Soon, with the help of their young Scout master, J.F. ``Buck'' 
Burshears, they were meeting with elders representing both the Plains 
Indians and many different Pueblos across New Mexico and Arizona. The 
elders embraced the youthful enthusiasm of these boys, teaching them 
dances, songs, and many different aspects of the ways of their 
ancestors. Buck dubbed the new club Koshares, the Hopi word for 
``clown'' or ``fun maker,'' and the Koshare Indian Dancers have been 
going strong ever since.
  ``The club grew beyond anything we ever thought it would be,'' said 
Dr. William Sisson. He and his friend Robert Inman held the first 
meeting of the Koshare Club. Soon it was an organization of hundreds of 
boys, who continued to pass on their knowledge from generation to 
generation. An important part of what they passed on was love for, and 
protection of, the land, living honestly and with integrity, and 
learning how to be a leader who embraces community service. That sense 
of service grew from a community focus to a nation-wide focus, as 
hundreds of Koshares served in every war in which the United States has 
fought since World War II.
  ``Doing those dances was demanding and required hard work,'' said one 
of the original organizers, Jimmy Taylor. ``The dances were important 
to learn, but it was more important what you took with you throughout 
your life from the experience. It gave young boys an outlet for their 
energy, gave them a sense of accomplishment, and it trained their minds 
to analyze and complete a project.'' Mr. Taylor went on to West Point 
and served his country during World War II with honors.
  The loss of Koshares during World War II spurred their vast 
collection of art and artifacts. In memory of their fallen comrades, 
they originally bought three paintings. By continuing to gather pieces 
over the years, the Koshares amassed one of the most extensive 
collections of southwestern art and artifacts in the West.
  Service remains a large part of the meaning of the organization. The 
Koshares continue to foster leadership skills and to provide an 
environment for young people to learn about the heritage of 
Southeastern Colorado. They also persist in sharing that heritage with 
others through their museum and performances. Boys, and now girls, 
benefit from the program, and the Arkansas Valley is richer because of 
the history and culture provided by the Koshare Indian Dancers. It is 
my distinct honor to recognize the Koshares and to wish them continued 
success.

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