[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 87 (Thursday, June 5, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            MARKING THE RETIREMENT OF CHAIRMAN BUFORD ROLIN

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 5, 2014

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
distinguished career of a great tribal leader, Chairman Buford Rolin. 
For more than three decades, Chairman Rolin has worked tirelessly to 
build stronger, healthier and more prosperous communities--for his 
fellow Poarch Band of Creek Indians and for native peoples across the 
country. He retires with a towering legacy of leadership and 
accomplishment, built through the vision, determination and energy that 
has long defined his many years of service.
  Rolin was born in Atmore, Alabama in 1940. He spent eight years in 
the Army, occasionally hitchhiking home from Fort Benning, Georgia to 
enjoy his weekend passes back in Poarch. His first job after the army 
was as a haberdasher in Pensacola, Florida. Eventually Rolin found a 
job with Dixie Asphalt and Paving.
  Over the years, his insight and expertise has fueled work in 
positions involving diverse groups including the National Committee on 
Indian Work, the Episcopal Church, the Chamber of Commerce Board of 
Directors, the Creek Indian Arts Council, Creek Indian Heritage 
Memorial Association, and the State of Alabama Public Health Board.
  His hands-on experience with Indian health issues led to his 
appointment as Tribal Co-Chair National Steering Committee (NSC) for 
Reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) in 
1998. After his service as Tribal Co-Chair for the Tribal Leaders 
Diabetes Committee, President Bill Clinton appointed him to the White 
House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. The 
National Congress of American Indians recognized his leadership by 
appointing him to the NCAI Tribal Leaders Health Information Technology 
Task Force in 2001. Diabetes prevention has long been a focus of 
Rolin's leadership, and just last year, he received the IHS Director's 
Special Recognition Award for his many years devoted to tackling this 
challenge.
  Chairman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians since 2006, Rolin has 
been a tenacious and devoted advocate for tribal sovereignty, the duty 
of the trust responsibility, and the health and prosperity of his 
people. Today, the state-of-the-art Buford L. Rolin Health Center--
named in recognition of a lifetime improving health across Indian 
Country--carries forward his great work, caring for his home community 
with a host of primary care, nutrition, diabetes, diagnostic, and 
rehabilitative services.
  As he enters the next chapter of his life, I join with many others in 
thanking him for the many years of service and leadership he has given 
Indian Country and our Nation. For while Chairman Rolin is ending his 
career, we know that his achievements will make a difference in the 
lives of his community for generations to come. Congratulations on a 
well-earned retirement.

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