[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5833-S5834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                     REMEMBERING ERNEST HOUSE, SR.

 Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, today I honor the life and memory 
of a prominent tribal leader and dedicated public servant in my home 
State of Colorado. The Honorable Ernest House Sr. served more than 30 
years in tribal leadership, including four terms as tribal chairman of 
the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in southwest Colorado. He was first elected 
to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council in 1979 and elected chairman in 
1982. Throughout his long tenure as a tribal council member and 
chairman, he actively and effectively worked for the betterment of the 
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
  Mr. House Sr. was an unassuming, yet forceful leader on many issues 
important to the people of his tribe, including natural resources 
development, law enforcement and support for tribal business 
enterprises. His leadership on water issues helped to complete the 
critical Dolores and Animas-La Plata water projects in southwest 
Colorado that benefited not only his tribe, but also the entire region. 
He was a strong

[[Page S5834]]

advocate for keeping the Ute Mountain Tribal Park in pristine and 
undeveloped condition.
  As the grandson of Chief Jack House, the last traditional chief of 
the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ernest House Sr. was raised from a young 
age to be a leader of his tribe. And he proved himself equal to the 
task. In his years of leadership, he was widely respected for his 
ability to bring people together and get results for his tribe and the 
greater Four Corners community. Ernest House Sr. worked his entire life 
to move his tribe forward while still maintaining its traditional 
tribal identity and heritage. He urged young Native people to be proud 
of their tribal heritage.
  Mr. House Sr. also served his country in the Army National Guard, the 
Signal Corps, and the Special Forces.
  I ask you to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Ernest 
House Sr., a visionary leader who was dedicated to serving his tribe, 
his community, Indian country, the State of Colorado, and our country. 
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire Ute Mountain 
Ute Tribe at this time of loss.

                          ____________________