[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 206 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1629-E1630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRINCIPAL AND SECOND CHIEF OF THE 
                    ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE OF TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 19, 2019

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the inauguration 
of Herbert Johnson, Sr. and Donnis Battise as Principal Chief and 
Second Chief, respectively, of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas on 
January 1, 2020.
  Herbert Johnson, Sr., a member of the Beaver Clan, served two terms 
on the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe Council, and held the position of Tribal 
Security Director for 21 years until his retirement in 2012. Mr. 
Johnson was vibrantly active in his community, serving on the Tribe's 
volunteer fire department and as the manager of the Tribal softball and 
basketball leagues for numerous years. He attended Jacksonville 
College, and later earned certification from Kilgore College and the 
Angelina Criminal Justice Center as an East Texas Police Academy 
reserve officer. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Indian Presbyterian 
Church, and has served nearly half a century on the Big Sandy 
Independent School District Board of Trustees. In all his endeavors, he 
enjoys the love and support of his wife, Deloris, and he takes great 
pride in their five children: Davie, Delbert, Retha, Herbert Jr., and 
Heather, and their five grandchildren: Jackson, Camille, Raegan, 
Aaliyah, and Stormi.
  Donnis Battise, a member of the Bear Clan, has served two terms on 
the Tribal Council and has been a member of the Tribe's volunteer fire 
department. During the Vietnam War, Mr. Battise served in the U.S. Army 
and is active today with the Tribal Veterans Association. Mr. Battise 
was employed in the lumber and paper industries for 33 years, and more 
recently retired from his position as a gaming attendant at Naskila 
Gaming. As a fervent follower of the Indian Presbyterian Church, Donnis 
serves both as an ordained elder and deacon of the church. He and his 
wife, Carol, are the guardians of Lilly Ann Alec.
  Herbert Johnson, Sr. and Donnis Battise have earned the high esteem 
of Tribal members through their many years of outstanding service, and 
it is indeed a pleasure to honor them on this special occasion.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Herbert Johnson, Sr. and Donnis Battise 
on their inauguration as Principal Chief and Second Chief of the 
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and I ask that they may be extended sincere 
best wishes for the future.

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