[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING MINNESOTA'S FIRST NATIVE-AMERICAN FIREFIGHTING CREW

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                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2025

  Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the establishment of 
the first Native-American Firefighting crew in Minnesota. This is a 
monumental achievement for both the City of Minneapolis and the state 
of Minnesota, pushing boundaries to highlight our historically 
underrepresented Native American communities, and inspiring members of 
those communities to become first responders.
  The team consists of firefighters Johnny Crow of the Oglala Lakota 
Nation, Bobby Headbird of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, fire motor 
operator Jesse Strong of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, and Captain 
Micheal Graves of the Red Lake Nation formed at Fire Station 6 in 
downtown Minneapolis, working on Engine 10 as emergency responders.
  They stated that the formation of their team was an intentional 
effort to build trust between the department and the communities they 
were serving. Since the team formed earlier this year, they have 
received positive reception from many different community members 
ranging from schoolchildren, who tell them they are motivated to become 
first responders because of the team, to unhoused Natives who felt 
reassured seeing people of similar backgrounds responding to their 
issues.
  This team signifies the importance of inclusivity in creating 
meaningful connections with the citizens we represent. I appreciate 
these individuals for choosing to represent their own communities in 
public service. Please join me in celebrating their work.

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