[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING OLIVER LEAVITT

 Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I want to take a few minutes to 
recognize the life of an extraordinary Alaska Native leader Oliver 
Aveogan Leavitt, who died January 9, 2023, at the age of 79. With the 
passing of Oliver Leavitt, Alaska has lost a highly respected Inupiaq 
leader and elder who dedicated his life to advocating for Inupiat and 
Alaska Native rights and ensuring that cultural and traditional 
knowledge will be passed down to younger generations.
  Oliver Leavitt was born in 1943 in Utqiagvik and was raised in 
caribou and fish camps along the Arctic coast living a traditional 
Alaska Native subsistence lifestyle. Oliver was known as a statewide 
leader and was instrumental in the legislation and policy changes that 
he successfully advocated for, including the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act--ANCSA--working in close partnership with dear friends 
and leaders such as the late Dr. Jacob Anagi Adams. Oliver not only 
lived in a time of rapid and monumental change, but he was also an 
agent of that change and progress for his people at a defining period 
in our State's history, leading discussions about rights to the land 
and resources and ensuring prosperity for the region as a founder and 
leader of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.
  Oliver Leavitt's staunch and storied dedication meant sacrificing 
time away from his family and cultural activities to camp out in DC, 
working on the passage of amendments to ANCSA that benefited all Alaska 
Native people for future generations, including legislation which 
authorized development on North Slope lands. Oliver also provided 
strong cultural leadership as a whaling captain, leading the Oliver 
Leavitt Crew, and sharing his skills as an expert skin boat maker. 
Oliver proudly served his community, State, and Nation at all levels, 
as an Army veteran, serving in the Vietnam war, and served on many 
local and early boards, such as Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, 
Alaska Federation of Natives, the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, 
Arctic Slope Native Association--which led his North Slope region in 
the fight about land claims--and First Alaskans Institute.
  Dr. Leavitt is survived by his beloved wife Annie Hopson Leavitt; his 
two daughters, Mary Lou and Martina (Jamie); daughter-in-law Doreen; 
seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is preceded in 
death by his and Mrs. Leavitt's son, William Jens Leavitt. Dr. Leavitt 
occupied a special place in Alaska's history and in the hearts of those 
who called him a friend. He prioritized mentoring the next generation. 
Oliver was loved in return, and Alaskans are immensely proud of all 
that he contributed to the State. My family and I extend our deepest 
condolences to his friends, family, and loved ones during this time as 
we reflect on the life a legendary Alaskan.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed 
to, the preambles, where appropriate, be agreed to, and that the 
motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all 
en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 130) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
  The resolution (S. Res. 131) was agreed to.
  (The resolution is printed in today's Record under ``Submitted 
Resolutions.'')
  The resolution (S. Res. 132) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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