[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S3181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING BOBBY ANDREW

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I wish to recognize a man who 
was well known across my State, and in many circles across our Nation. 
Bobby Andrew, an Alaska Native Yupik leader, passed away on May 12 at 
the age of 73 near Aleknagik in southwest Alaska.
  Aleknagik is 16 miles northwest of its hub community of Dillingham, a 
small town of about 2,500 residents, which sits at the confluence of 
the Nushagak River, an inlet of Alaska's Bristol Bay.
  Bobby was seen as a leader by many Native and non-Native Alaskans. At 
a young age Bobby attended territorial and BIA schools in Southwest 
Alaska and then went off to Ohio to earn an accounting degree from Dyke 
Spencerian Business College, now known as Chancellor University in 
Cleveland. He then returned home to bring his education back to Alaska.
  Bobby was a lifelong subsistence hunter and fisherman who was 
respected by many across the State. He taught many of the importance of 
traditional knowledge and passing along important Alaska Native values.
  Bobby was a known advocate for land and water protection in Alaska. 
As a writer and public speaker Bobby took his advocacy across the 
State, Nation, and overseas. He often visited places like Juneau, 
Washington, DC, and London when asked to speak about Alaska. It was 
said about Bobby that ``anywhere he was needed, he would go . . .''
  Bobby was once quoted saying, ``I find myself fighting for the future 
of our renewable fish and wildlife resources. They are the central part 
of my culture,'' he said. ``We need to let the rest of the world know 
so we can all work together to protect the environment, air, water and 
lands that produce subsistence resources on which we depend.''
  Bobby loved Alaska, loved his family--especially his grandchildren--
and he was an important voice for Alaska. He passed naturally at his 
cabin, a place he loved, where he went to rest after fishing. He will 
be missed.

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