[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ALBERT HALE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. O'HALLERAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of former Navajo 
Nation President Albert Hale, who lost his battle with COVID this week.
  Years ago, Albert and I served together in the Arizona House of 
Representatives, working on water issues and fighting to uphold Tribal 
sovereignty. As the second elected president of the Navajo Nation, 
Albert Hale taught me so much about the Dine people, their culture, and 
their long-overlooked struggles.
  In this body, we are no strangers to the suffering the Navajo Nation 
has endured throughout the course of this pandemic--and still is. 
Forced to wait months for CARES Act funding to arrive, Navajo families 
were often at the epicenter of this global pandemic, several times 
experiencing the highest per capita infection rates in the world.
  As a Congress, we must, once and for all, commit ourselves to 
discontinuing the shelving of Native American issues and concerns. I 
know that is what Albert Hale would have said.
  We must wholeheartedly devote our efforts to serving all Americans 
equitably and come together reinvigorated to pass legislation to meet 
our obligations.
  Today, I think of Albert's passing with a heavy heart for many 
reasons. I am saddened to lose his friendship and guidance, his smile, 
his sense of humor, and his sense of caring for his fellow Navajo and 
American people. And I am frustrated to see yet again that the 
community he fought to uplift continues to be left behind. Too many 
Dine mothers, grandfathers, neighbors, and friends have fallen to this 
deadly disease.
  Since coming to Congress in 2017, I have strived to bring the voices 
of all 12 sovereign Tribal nations in our district to the discussion 
table in Washington. Today, I recommit myself to fighting for their 
needs and honoring their unique stories, as Albert Hale did during his 
time with us.
  My thoughts are with the Hale family and the entire Navajo Nation as 
we mourn Albert's passing. His work, his light, and his mission will 
not be forgotten.
  And I can't stand here today and not say that one of my last 
conversations with Albert was about COVID.
  I am so sad that he and many other people who have died from this 
dreaded disease have not been able to be with their loved ones as they 
have passed away, or their friends. I am saddened that I didn't know at 
that time that Albert would have been stricken with this terrible 
virus. But we do know Albert would say to us, Please continue to fight 
the fight for the American people.

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