[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 154 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CHIEF JACK HOUSE TRIBUTE

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                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 14, 2011

  Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Jack House. 
Chief House was the last hereditary chief of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe 
(Weeminuche Band), and the first to lead through the transition from 
life in the mountains and plains to life on the reservation.
  Chief House was born in Mancos Canyon in 1889 on the reservation 
designated as home for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. He had the 
traditional long braids, carried himself tall, and photographs of him 
captured the proud, determined attitude that was evidenced in his 
lifelong struggles for the cause of his people. He was instrumental in 
the establishment of the tribal council, the formation of the Ute 
Mountain Tribal Office and the blueprints for the tribal constitution.
  In his fight for the rights of his people, Chief Jack House brought 
suit against the U.S. Government over the San Juan Mining District, for 
which the Indians had been paid 13 cents per acre in 1873. Fearing the 
killing of livestock and the fencing of the reservation, he fought the 
building of roads through the reservation as well as advocated for 
water and hunting rights.
  He travelled many times to Washington, D.C. and in his more than 30 
years of leadership, Chief Jack House worked to secure essential water 
rights, lobbied for the tribe's causes, and fought for the right of 
self-determination for his people. When Chief Jack House died in 1971, 
nearly a thousand people, both whites and Indians, paid their respects 
and homage to his inspired leadership.
  After his death, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe completed both the 
Dolores Water Project and Animas La Plata Water Project which 
accomplished his dream that his community would someday see running 
water in their homes.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Chief Jack House. In the 
words of the recent passed tribal leader and grandson of Chief Jack 
House, Ernest House, Sr., ``He laid the foundation for the tribe and 
created the path followed today.''

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