[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 193 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8665-S8666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT

  Mr. BEGICH. Madam President, I come to the floor to first say ``thank 
you'' to my colleagues for supporting an incredible judge, but I also 
come to the floor today to mark an anniversary. December 18, 2011, 
marks the 40th anniversary of a truly historic date for the first 
people of Alaska--passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. 
To mark this historic occasion, Senator Murkowski and I have submitted 
a Senate resolution to formally celebrate the success and contributions 
of Alaska Native people and their corporations. We will be asking for 
the unanimous consent of our colleagues to adopt this resolution at a 
certain point.
  Over the past 40 years, Alaska has witnessed astonishing economic 
growth resulting from ANCSA. This has benefited not just Native people 
but all Alaskans. This historic piece of legislation allowed a new 
group of people who for centuries were economically disadvantaged to 
enter into the business world and to become economic leaders. Under 
ANCSA, they have contributed to the State and national economies in 
unprecedented ways. ANCSA has two primary goals: to resolve 
longstanding issues surrounding aboriginal land claims in Alaska and to 
stimulate economic development.
  Many Alaskans led the charge on creation and passage of the claims 
act. My father, the late Representative Nick Begich, was one of them. 
There were many new Native leaders involved--Willie Hensley, John 
Borbridge, and other young advocates who very quickly engaged in this 
historic Native rights legislation.
  Today, I would also like to recognize all the wives, daughters, 
sisters, secretaries, and other powerful women who contributed to the 
passage of ANCSA. Many of them may not have received formal recognition 
of their contributions, women such as Marlene Johnson, who played an 
instrumental role in the creation and passage of ANCSA. She spent 
countless hours flying to and from southeast Alaska and Washington, DC, 
leaving behind her full-time job and five children, doing her part to 
see ANCSA move through Congress. To engage in negotiations, Alaskans 
would fly for days to get from Barrow or Fairbanks or Kotzebue to 
Washington, DC. Many of them camped out on couches and floors in 
Washington for months to get it done.
  Today, Alaska Native corporations are tremendous economic drivers not 
only for Alaska but for the entire United States and even 
internationally. In 2010, 8 of the 10 most profitable businesses in 
Alaska were Alaska Native corporations. Of the five that topped $1 
billion, all were Native corporations.
  Cash dividends paid to corporation shareholders continue to be a very 
important source of income for many Alaska Native individuals and 
families. In total, dividends paid by Alaska Native corporations to 
their shareholders rose by 39 percent from 2009 to 2010, up to $171 
million.
  These dividends serve Native families in many ways. In some cases, 
they help provide basics, such as food and heating fuel or supplies and 
equipment to continue their subsistence way of life. For other 
families, shareholder dividends go into college savings accounts or new 
startup businesses. Sometimes they simply help offset the costs of 
caring for their aging loved ones.
  For the business owners everywhere, Native and non-Native alike, 
shareholder dividends provide a major economic boost. Today, Alaska 
Native corporations and their subsidiaries are providing thousands of 
jobs across the United States. These corporations provide job training 
and scholarships and other support to create new opportunities for 
young shareholders and their descendents. The corporations also offer 
meaningful internships to help young Alaska Natives build longstanding 
professional careers within the corporate structure. Elders, the most 
respected people in the Native communities, receive special assistance 
and financial support from their corporations.
  Clearly, 40 years later, many Alaska Native corporations have matured 
to become business leaders. Unfortunately, many others and the Alaska 
Natives they represent have not all had great success--yet.
  The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act was one approach, an 
experiment to meet America's treaty obligations to the first people of 
this country. I will continue to support the Alaska Native tribes while 
also strengthening the capacity of the Alaska Native corporations.

[[Page S8666]]

  Now we look forward to the next 40 years of ANCSA. I call on my 
colleagues in this Chamber to work together to help all American Indian 
and Alaska Native people gain their economic independence. Through 
ANCSA, we see this happening in Alaska. Alaska Native groups are proud 
of their culture and heritage but also of their business success. We 
all should be proud of this success.
  In Alaska, we innovate. We rely on fresh approaches to solve our 
unique challenges. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act is such an 
example. It was a monumental act of Congress--one my father pushed 
forward and I know is profoundly successful and one that today I 
profoundly defend.
  With our national economy in its current state, we need more of this 
in America. We need to lift our people to build capacity and to allow 
the first people of this Nation to succeed. When that happens, we all 
benefit.
  Madam President, Senator Murkowski and I ask you and our colleagues 
to support this resolution to recognize and honor the impact and 
importance of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. More important, 
it honors Alaska's first people and their extraordinary accomplishments 
over the past 40 years.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska.

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