[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23355]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING REVEREND HAROLD JONES

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I am saddened to report the 
passing of one of South Dakota's most exceptional spiritual leaders, 
Rev. Harold Jones.
  Harold was the first Native American to serve as a bishop in a 
Christian denomination. He was a widely respected leader, and was 
greatly admired by his peers for his dedication to the people he served 
and guided. His tremendous contributions to the community and 
groundbreaking achievements set him apart from other outstanding 
spiritual leaders.
  Born in 1909 and raised on the Santee Reservation in Nebraska, Harold 
lost his parents at an early age and was raised by his grandparents, 
who brought him up as a Christian. He attended school at Seabury-
Western Seminary in Illinois. After graduating, Harold spent 13 years 
at the Pine Ridge Mission and 12 years at Holy Trinity Parish in 
Wahpeton, ND. He also served at the Cheyenne River Agency, Gettysburg, 
Dupree, Pine Ridge, and Rapid City, SD and Fort Defiance, AZ. Harold 
was consecrated as a bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of South 
Dakota on January 11, 1972. The ecumenical ceremony was witnessed by 
1,000 people in the Catholic Church's St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux 
Falls.
  As a Native American, Harold's entry into the church did not occur 
without controversy and prejudice. While at seminary school in 
Illinois, Harold earned money by giving talks about life on South 
Dakota Indian reservations to churches in the Chicago area. Outside 
these churches signs often read, ``Come this Sunday and see a live 
Indian!'' Never deterred from following his chosen path, Harold 
overcame the misconceptions and prejudices of others to become one of 
the most respected and revered bishops in the country.
  Harold's dedication to helping others serves as his greatest legacy. 
His work continues to inspire all those who knew him. Our Nation and 
South Dakota are far better places because of Harold's life, and while 
we miss him very much, the best way to honor his life is to emulate the 
love and support he shared with others.

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