[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 23]
[Senate]
[Page 31875]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             DEDICATION OF THE BURCH TRIBAL OFFICE BUILDING

 Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I rise to observe the 
dedication and naming of a building by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in 
Ignacio, CO, a place I am privileged to call home.
  On December 1, 2003--about a week from now--the Tribe will dedicate a 
new tribal office building to the memory of its former chief, Mr. 
Leonard Burch, who passed away earlier this year. The building will 
bear his name.
  Leonard Burch was a quiet man of enormous vision, who led the 
Southern Ute Indian Tribe for nearly three decades, from a little-
known, mostly poor tribe to the pre-eminent energy-producing Indian 
tribe in the world--a leader among tribes, just as Leonard was a leader 
among men.
  Leonard's dream for the Tribe was audacious, but he persisted where 
others might have faltered and he believed--believed in his vision, but 
more important, believed in his people: his faith in the inherent 
strength of the Southern Utes was unshakeable.
  it speaks well of the Southern Ute Tribe that they were perceptive 
enough to know a great leader when they saw one, and continued 
following his lead even when the way was difficult. Leonard and the 
Tribe deserved each other, and their mutual commitment was rewarded in 
a community transformed.
  Leonard Burch will be missed by the Southern Ute Indians, by me, and 
by all who call southwest Colorado home. He remains in our hearts and, 
with the dedication of the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Office Building, 
his memory will be forever honored by the tribe he loved.

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