[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF NATIVE ELDER AND LEADER PHILIP D. HUNTER

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 2, 2009

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today during Native American 
Heritage Month, to honor and remember the life of Native Elder and 
Leader Philip D. Hunter.
  Mr. Philip Daryl Hunter was a citizen of the Tule River Tribe. He was 
an exemplary leader and a powerful advocate for the needs and rights of 
Native people; especially those throughout the great state of 
California and the San Joaquin Valley. Mr. Hunter was a strong 
spiritual and political leader for his tribe.
  Philip Hunter graduated from Porterville Union High School in 1966 
and attended Porterville College, where he excelled not only in 
academics, but also in baseball. During breaks from school he would 
work for the Tribe as a fire fighter. He went on to serve our nation in 
the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.
  Following his military service, Mr. Hunter graduated from Columbia 
College with an Associate of Arts Degree, focusing his interests on 
helping others. He spent fourteen years as a Drug and Alcohol 
Counselor, consistently placing the needs of others above his own. 
Demonstrating a strong dedication to his tribe, Mr. Hunter served on 
the Tule River Tribal Council for over twelve years, with five years in 
the position of Tribal Chairman. He was the longest-serving member on 
the Tule River Tribal Council. During his time on the council, Mr. 
Hunter became a familiar and strong voice in our state's and nation's 
capitols as he worked to shape federal, state and international 
California Indian policy, including protections for Native Sacred 
Places. He represented the Tule River Tribe on the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, Central California Agency Policy Committee, BIA/Pacific 
Regional Offices Fee to Trust Consortium, Council of Energy Resources 
Tribes and the National Congress of American Indians. He was a proud 
member of the Tule River AMVETS Post 1988 and respectfully honored 
veterans during times of remembrances.
  Philip D. Hunter was acclaimed for being an effective and traditional 
cultural leader. His knowledge and dedication to tribal members ran 
deep throughout Indian Country. He was devoted to his wife, Beverly J. 
Hunter and loved his family, his tribe and his country. Mr. Hunter will 
always be remembered as a true champion for Native Americans.

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