[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ROBERT DePOE III

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Robert DePoe 
III on recently becoming the new president of Salish Kootenai College 
in Pablo, MT. Robert was born in Polson, MT and was 2-years-old when 
Salish Kootenai College was founded in 1977. Robert spent his entire 
childhood on the Flathead Reservation in Montana's Mission Valley, 
graduating from high school in Ronan in 1993.
  After attending North Idaho College, Robert returned home and worked 
at a local mill before going on a church mission that led him to 
Southern Utah University. At Southern Utah, Robert earned his 
bachelor's degree in criminal justice before becoming a social worker 
with the Paiute Tribe of Utah. At 27, Robert became education director 
and served as an advisor and chairman of the Coalition of Minorities to 
the Utah State Board of Education. From there, Robert's ascent 
continued, and he went on to earn his master's degree in professional 
communication.
  Now, at 38, Robert is returning home again to lead Salish Kootenai 
College. Robert will take over a job recently vacated by Luana Ross. 
Prior to Luana, the position was held exclusively by the founding 
president of over 30 years, Joe McDonald. Joe is a legend in higher 
education. Under his leadership, Salish Kootenai College became one of 
the premier tribal colleges in the Nation.
  During Joe's 38-year tenure, Salish Kootenai transformed from a 
campus extension for a local community college to educating over 1,000 
Native students. While Robert has big shoes to fill, I know he is ready 
for the challenge. And he has a capable faculty and eager students to 
make his task a little easier.
  I wish good luck to Robert and to Salish Kootenai College as they 
continue to honor the heritage of the Salish and Kootenai while 
preparing our future leaders of Montana.

                          ____________________