[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18888]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING RICHARD ``DICK'' HAGEN

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I am saddened to report the 
passing of one of South Dakota's most exceptional public leaders, 
Richard ``Dick'' Hagen.
  Dick was a widely respected leader and representative in South 
Dakota. He served in the State House from 1983 until 2000 and was 
elected to his first term in the State Senate in 2000. He was greatly 
admired by his peers for his honesty and unwavering dedication to the 
people he represented. A member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Dick strived 
to promote a better understanding of Native American culture among his 
colleagues in the state legislature. His tremendous contributions to 
the community and public leadership set him apart from other 
outstanding public representatives, and lead to a Legislator of the 
Year award in 2001 and the West River Legislator of the Year award in 
2002.
  Dick entered Coast Guard boot camp at Cape May, NJ in 1957. He was 
stationed in Morgan City, LA and later in Unimak Island, Alaska before 
being honorably discharged from Sheboygan, WI in 1961. After his 
discharge from the Coast Guard, he returned to South Dakota and served 
with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for one year, the Shannon County 
School Board for two terms, and the Tribal Council for two terms.
  Dick lent his leadership and good nature to many activities and 
events throughout the Pine Ridge Reservation. He announced countless 
ball games, parades, and rodeos, and was a familiar face at numerous 
sporting events over the years. Through his outstanding community 
involvement in these, and many other activities, the lives of countless 
South Dakotans were enormously enhanced.
  One of the most important pieces of legislation Dick initiated was 
his bill to fund reservation nursing homes. Elderly Native Americans, 
living on South Dakota's reservations, are often forced to leave their 
families to find nursing home care far from home. Dick believed all 
South Dakotans deserve the right to convenient quality health care 
service. Although he did not live to see his dream realized, his work 
continues to inspire all those who knew him.
  Dick's legislative achievements were extraordinary, but it was his 
dedication to helping others that serves as his greatest legacy. I am 
proud to have been a friend of Dick and of Mona, his deceased wife. Our 
Nation and South Dakota are far better places because of Dick's life, 
and while we miss him very much, the best way to honor his life is to 
emulate his commitment to public service and community.

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