[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.

[[Page E286]]

  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.

                          ____________________