[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO HAROLD ``BUDDY'' BROWN

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today the people of Interior 
Alaska--our Native people and the entire Fairbanks community--mourn the 
loss of one of the most promising Native leaders of this generation.
  Harold ``Buddy'' Brown died yesterday of cancer at the age of 39. 
Buddy is survived by his wife Patti and two children, Xavier, age 7, 
and Alana, age 3.
  Throughout Indian Country we are witnessing the generational shift in 
leadership to young people who have mastered the challenge of living in 
two worlds. They have completed college, gone on to obtain graduate and 
professional degrees, and returned to serve their people. One foot in 
the traditional world of their Native communities, the other in the 
modern worlds of business, finance, management and law.
  Within the Alaska Native community, Buddy Brown stood at the vanguard 
of this generational shift. After graduating from the University of New 
Mexico Law School in 1997, he immediately went to work for the Tanana 
Chiefs Conference, the consortium of 42 tribes in Interior Alaska. He 
was hired on as associate counsel.
  Five years later, Buddy was elected President of the Tanana Chiefs 
Conference. In this role he led a region which encompasses about 
235,000 square miles, an area equal to about 37 percent of the State of 
Alaska and just slightly smaller than the state of Texas. In 2006, 
Buddy retired from this position to heal and to spend time with his 
family.
  The Tanana Chiefs region is known throughout the State of Alaska for 
producing leaders of statewide and national repute--Bridge builders who 
have a particular talent for engaging the broader community to support 
the causes and concerns of our Native people.
  The late Morris Thompson, who tragically died in the 2000 crash of 
Alaska Airlines Flight 261, is the best known Native leader to come 
from this region, beloved throughout the State for his talent in 
building bridges.
  Morris Thompson was Buddy Brown's mentor and friend, and I am told 
that he expected Buddy Brown would grow to become a leader whose 
accomplishments would exceed Morris's own. Buddy was widely regarded in 
Alaska as the best and brightest of this new generation. He reached 
great heights in a few short years, but I am saddened that Alaska will 
never realize the true potential of this truly extraordinary 
individual.
  There is little I can say to console our grieving community today but 
I do have a few words for Xavier and Alana and the Native youth of 
Interior Alaska. Buddy Brown appreciated that youth is no impediment to 
leadership, that the energy and new ideas of the youth are desperately 
needed to keep our Native institutions thriving. Buddy devoted his life 
to preparing to undertake this leadership role.
  Take inspiration from Buddy's life and become the leader that each of 
you has the potential to be. I want to help you to achieve this goal 
for yourself, for your people, and for all of Alaska.

                          ____________________