[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  HONORING THE LIFE OF OLIVER LEAVITT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MARY SATTLER PELTOLA

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2023

  Mrs. PELTOLA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart I rise today to 
pay tribute to a great Alaskan and dedicated leader of the Artic Slope 
Regional Corporation, Dr. Oliver Leavitt. Sadly, Oliver passed away 
earlier this year on January 9, 2023, at the age of 79 in his lifetime 
hometown, Utqiagvik. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and 
loved ones, as well as the entire Artic Slope community.
  Dr. Leavitt was a long-time Inupiat public servant who held 
innumerable leadership positions on the North Slope and across Alaska. 
In 1971 he played a key role in the Alaska Native lands claims fight 
and was a significant contributor to the passage of the Alaska Native 
Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). His wisdom and guidance in establishing 
the Alaska Native corporation system was monumental and will be 
recognized for generations to come.
  Dr. Oliver Leavitt was elected as the first president of the North 
Slope Borough Assembly in 1972, a position he held for four years, 
followed by more than 20 years of service in the Assembly. He also 
served on the boards of the Arctic Slope Native Association and the 
Alaska Federation of Natives. As Vice President of Lands and Vice 
President of Government Affairs for the Arctic Slope Regional 
Corporation, he effectively messaged Tribal, economic, and cultural 
priorities in Washington, D.C. and Juneau. His presence will be forever 
remembered by policymakers who interacted with him.
  While working in Washington, D.C., he was pivotal in passing numerous 
amendments to ANCSA, improving the law for future generations of Alaska 
Natives. He also contributed to legislation that authorized development 
in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and allowed for increased 
economic opportunity for Native corporations across Alaska.
  Throughout Dr. Leavitt's lifetime, each success was achieved with the 
support and love of his family and his community. Oliver's legacy will 
live on through the community and the continued work they do to advance 
Alaskan priorities. He will forever be survived in the North Slope 
Borough and throughout all of Alaska.
  Oliver dedicated his life to advancing Alaskan priorities and 
improving the quality of life for Alaska Native communities. I honor 
his legacy and mourn his loss alongside his family and community.

                          ____________________