[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 41 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E285-E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RETIREMENT RECOGNITION FOR ROBERT HOLDEN
______
HON. MARKWAYNE MULLIN
of oklahoma
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Mr. MULLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Robert
Holden, a member of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Tribes, who joined the
staff of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 1984 and
retired last December after 33 years of dedicated service to NCAI and
to the millions of Native people that were foremost in his mind every
day of his life.
Many of you know that NCAI was begun in 1944 at the peak of the
Federal government's ``Termination Policy,'' which sought to dissolve
Indian tribal governments and to assimilate Indian people into the
mainstream of America. Today, NCAI is the oldest, largest and most
representative tribal organization in the country, with more than 300
member tribes.
When people in Congress or in public want to gauge the views of
Indian Country on matters of health care, housing, cultural issues,
economic development or sovereignty, they turn to NCAI.
For more than three decades, these people have often talked to Robert
who spent most of his career at NCAI when salaries were low, there was
no proper retirement program or health care, and with few staff. This
meant long days, evenings and weekends, travel away from home and
family, and often-frustrating times getting the attention of decision-
makers in Congress and Federal agencies.
Working under the leadership of at least 6 Executive Directors,
Robert became, over time, the institutional and collective memory of
the NCAI organization as well as the source of continuity that is so
important to a membership organization like NCAI.
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None of these challenges could prevent Robert from persisting in his
life's work and his absolute dedication to the cause of tribal
sovereignty and improving the lives of Indian people.
Robert's leadership and commitment to the mission of NCAI stabilized
the organization through many internal changes and external challenges.
Robert's work for NCAI over the years has been varied and compelling.
In the 1990's he managed the Nuclear Waste Policy Committee for NCAI
on a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy, which anchored the
organization's finances during a very difficult period. By identifying
other contract and grant opportunities, Robert generated millions of
dollars to NCAI, making possible the good work of the organization over
the years.
Robert had great success on policy issues--particularly emergency
response and tribal-friendly amendments to the Stafford Act, which he
labored on for more than two decades. His efforts bore fruit when a
window of opportunity opened after Hurricane Sandy and, as was typical
of his work ethic, Robert jumped in with both feet. This is a prime
example of Robert's patient but steady vision and how his long-term
commitment has benefitted not just NCAI but tribal communities across
the United States.
Robert is also leaving a legacy from his work with Native Veterans:
his accomplishments include the recent decision by the Veterans
Administration to expand the Tribal Veterans Service Officers Program;
Native Code Talker legislation; and the establishment and funding of
the National Indian Veterans Memorial, which will be housed on the
grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian.
As a strong supporter and advocate for Native political
participation, Robert pressed for increased voter awareness and action
in Native communities even before the ``Native Vote'' phenomenon took
shape.
In all of Robert's work, his fundamental belief in the wisdom of
Indian people and the capacity of tribal governments to take on
challenges of increasing technical complexity before long was one of
the anchors of the Tribal Self-Governance movement, particularly in law
enforcement and public safety.
Robert Holden may have retired, but he is not going away. He plans to
serve as an Ambassador at Large for NCAI, continuing to participate in
NCAI gatherings, and continuing to serve the Indian people and our
country as he has done his whole adult life.
In 2017, the NCAI's member tribes unanimously passed Resolution MKE-
17-027 titled ``Appreciation for Robert Holden.'' Therefore, I include
this Resolution in the Record.
I am grateful to Robert for his life's dedication to these important
matters and for his indomitable spirit in making sure Indian tribes
were always part of the discussion here in the halls of power in
Washington, D.C.
I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in wishing Robert all the
best in whatever the Creator has in store for him in the years to come.
Appreciation for Robert Holden
The National Congress of American Indians
Whereas, We, the members of the National Congress of
American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine
blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in
order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the
inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights
secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United
States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are
entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States
and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples, to enlighten the public toward a better
understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian
cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and
welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit
the following resolution; and
Whereas, The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest
national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native
tribal governments; and
Whereas, Robert Holden, the Deputy Director of NCAI, is
preparing for a well-deserved retirement; and
Whereas, Robert started at NCAI in 1984 and for 33 years
has graciously shared his tenacity, resilience, intelligence
and compassion to make lasting change for tribal nations; and
Whereas, Robert's leadership and commitment to the mission
of NCAI has stabilized the organization through many internal
and external changes; and
Whereas, For more than a decade Robert managed the
important National Indian Nuclear Waste Policy Committee,
with Russell Jim of the Yakama Nation serving as Chairman, at
a time when Congress was considering the creation of a
geologic repository at Yucca Mountain and the movement of
significant amounts of high-level nuclear waste across many
reservations; and
Whereas, Robert Holden has been a leader in promoting
emergency and radiological preparedness and transportation
safety and urged proactive steps to address impacts on Indian
tribes and provide emergency response capabilities; and
Whereas, Robert Holden's work led directly to the Stafford
Act amendments authorizing Indian tribes, as sovereigns, to
make disaster declarations directly to the President of the
United States; and
Whereas, Robert has been consistently committed to working
with Native Veterans, and the expansion of tribal veterans
services and Robert has kept forth issues such as the Native
Code Talker Bill and a National Indian Veterans Memorial, and
fought to keep the Veterans Committee going for every veteran
to attend at no cost; and
Whereas, Robert has maintained exemplary commitment to
voting participation in Indian Country; and
Whereas, In all of Robert's work, his support for the
capacity of tribal government to take on challenges of
increasing technical complexity has been one of the anchors
of the SelfGovernance movement, particularly in law
enforcement and public safety; and
Whereas, Robert has developed and maintained hundreds of
relationships with tribal leaders from around Indian country,
building trust with NCAI; and
Whereas, Robert plans to continue as an ambassador for
NCAI, participating in the NCAI gatherings, continuing his
lifelong commitment to advancing tribal sovereignty, treaty
rights, and the federal trust responsibility; and
Whereas, words cannot capture the immeasurable spirit and
incomparable contributions of Robert Holden to NCAI and to
the whole of Indian Country; Now therefore be it
Resolved, That the National Congress of American Indians
(NCAI) expresses deep appreciation, love, gratitude,
friendship, and respect for Robert Holden.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted by the General
Assembly at the 2017 Annual Session of the National Congress
of American Indians, held at the Wisconsin Center in
Milwaukee, WI, Oct 15, 2017-Oct 20, 2017, with a quorum
present.
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