[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5177-S5178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING THEODORE HOWARD

 Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, with my colleagues Senator Jim 
Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, we honor 
Theodore ``Ted'' Howard, who passed away on May 3, 2024, at the age of 
76. Ted Howard, also known as ``His Good Road,'' was a strong, 
competent, and deeply revered leader for the Shoshone-Paiute

[[Page S5178]]

Tribes, a rich source of cultural history and a tremendous Tribal 
ambassador.
  Ted was born in an extraordinary place, and to Idaho's great benefit, 
he, thankfully, returned in adulthood and advocated for the people of 
the Duck Valley Reservation. The Duck Valley Indian Reservation is 
nearly 289,819 acres that straddles the Idaho-Nevada State line in the 
beautiful and remote, high desert of Owyhee County, ID, and Elko 
County, NV. Approximately 1,700 of the 2,000 members of the Shoshone-
Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley also live on the Duck Valley Reservation. 
Ted served his people admirably for decades through his roles as Tribal 
Chairman, from 2017 to 2021, and as the Director of Cultural Resources 
for 25 years for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes.
  Ted used his skills as a certified pilot to assist with medical 
emergencies and survey and protect remote Shoshone-Paiute cultural 
sites in the area. He has also helped overcome considerable natural 
resources challenges, including the Murphy Complex Fire in 2007. This 
enormous fire that burned an estimated more than 650,000 acres among 
other difficulties left the Duck Valley Indian Reservation without 
power for nearly 2 weeks. In a news story about the fire, he reflected, 
``It was just one of those times when we had to make the best of the 
situation.'' This quote is emblematic of his approach. He faced 
difficulties with calm, resourcefulness, and strength.
  From Owyhee County to Washington, DC, we valued working with Ted with 
his knowledge and capabilities. He was a central partner in helping the 
locally driven Owyhee Initiative become the law that reinforced the 
collaborative efforts to manage the magnificent landscape he cherished. 
Throughout, he worked hard to ensure the lands remain a sacred place 
for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. He was also instrumental in advocating 
the needs of the Tribes as we worked to advance the Shoshone-Paiute 
Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights Settlement Act and, 
later, the legislative fix to allow the Tribes to collect interest owed 
from the Settlement Act. Ted led efforts of Tribes across the Great 
Basin working for the repatriation of their ancestors.
  Ted was raised as a cowboy and was known for his skill on a horse and 
working with leather. He took those lessons of hard work and commitment 
to everything he did. He was renowned for his service to the people. He 
enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 16 and served two tours in the 
Central Highlands of Vietnam. Ted's commitment to his heritage was 
evident through his service as a Sundancer, taking part in the annual 
summer solistic ritual, focusing on the greater good of the community, 
reconnecting with the earth and receiving spiritual guidance from 
ancestors. He was widely respected for his extensive cultural and 
spiritual knowledge of traditional Shoshone and Paiute ways and spoke 
both languages fluently. He freely passed on that knowledge to future 
generations.
  With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to Ted Howard, who was 
heartwarmingly and fittingly described by his stepson Phil Gover as 
chief, teacher, healer, leader, mentor, guardian, friend, outdoorsman, 
cowboy, pilot, and soldier. We extend our deep condolences to Ted's 
wife Gina, his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, other loved ones and the many friends he made throughout 
his life. We also join the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes in mourning the loss 
of one of their great leaders. We will miss him greatly and have utmost 
respect for the lasting legacy he has left through his thoughtful work 
on all of our behalves.

                          ____________________