[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6138-S6139]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Tribute to Trimble Gilbert

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. I would like to acknowledge for the record an 
individual who is being recognized as we speak over at the Library of 
Congress. This is Rev. Dr. Trimble Gilbert. He is 1 of 10 honorees who 
have been named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment for 
the Arts.
  This is an extraordinarily high honor. It is one of the Nation's 
highest honors in the folk and traditional arts, recognizing artistic 
excellence, supporting contributions to traditional arts heritage.
  I had an opportunity in January to travel to Anaktuvuk Pass, where 
Dr. Gilbert calls home, and to be able to surprise him with the news 
that he was getting this recognition and would receive this honor. At 
that time, we didn't have a date. He has now flown from Alaska to be 
here as part of, again, an extraordinary tribute.
  This is a Native leader, an elder who is a master Gwich'in fiddler 
and a highly esteemed culture bearer. What he brings to the 
conversation in the arts is deeply cultural, deeply spiritual, and with 
an intellectual knowledge that is so extensive, you are just humbled to 
be in the man's presence.
  As was stated in a local newspaper today, ``His life is a walking 
testament

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to the cultural values, practices, traditions, and knowledge of the 
Gwich'in people.''
  So I am proud to be able to acknowledge the fine work of Rev. Dr. 
Trimble Gilbert of Arctic Village--I said Anaktuvuk; it is Arctic 
Village--and also to be able to offer him my personal congratulations 
this evening.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.

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