15856 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE July 24, 2000 bills to address. But I believe this bill Minority Business Council and the trooper in the must be a top priority. It is unaccept- dedicated individuals throughout Texas and served as a Green Beret. able that women who are diagnosed and this nation who seek to expand During the activism of the late 1960’s, with cancer often go without life-sav- economic opportunities for all Ameri- Bernie Whitebear emerged as one of ing treatment simply because they cans. the central tribal leaders in the Pacific cannot afford it. Congress has the re- The EXPO has been an outstanding Northwest and was a tireless advocate sponsibility to act quickly on this example of such efforts, and has opened for American Indian recognition and issue. the doors of the marketplace by suc- empowerment. We often remember his In the spirit of the CDC Early Detec- cessfully pairing minority business social action, seen through his leader- tion program, which is approaching its owners with representatives from more ship in the ‘‘invasion’’ of 10th anniversary, I urge the leadership than 220 local and national companies. in in 1970. Bernie and others oc- to bring S. 662 to the floor as soon as The event provides these minority en- cupied the Fort Lawton property after possible, and advance America’s fight trepreneurs with direct marketing op- plans were announced to list the Fort against breast and cervical cancer. portunities with corporations, govern- as surplus property for the city to des- ignate as a park. He felt local tribes f ment agencies and educational and fi- nancial institutions that need capable had a historic right to the land, which THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE contractors to support their missions. could be better used as a central serv- Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the The EXPO has produced real results, ice base for Seattle’s largely unserved close of business Friday, July 21, 2000, with two thirds of participants report- urban Indian population. the Federal debt stood at ing having obtained contracts for as The 3-month occupation, civil arrests $5,667,708,257,883.47 (Five trillion, six much as two million dollars within a and resulting media attention prompt- hundred sixty-seven billion, seven hun- year of the event. ed Congress to order the city of Seattle dred eight million, two hundred fifty- I have worked hard in the U.S. Sen- to negotiate a settlement, which in- seven thousand, eight hundred eighty- ate to build upon efforts like this to ex- cluded a 99-year lease on a 20-acre par- three dollars and forty-seven cents). pand Federal contracting opportunities cel for Whitebear’s group. The settle- One year ago, July 21, 1999, the Fed- to small and disadvantaged business ment provided space for construction eral debt stood at $5,630,350,000,000 entrepreneurs. I have helped lead the of the Daybreak Star Art Center, (Five trillion, six hundred thirty bil- efforts to defend programs such as the which currently stands in Discovery lion, three hundred fifty million). 8 (a) Federal business development pro- Park. I want to share with the Senate one Five years ago, July 21, 1995, the Fed- gram, worked to curb the ‘‘bundling’’ of my favorite memories of Bernie eral debt stood at $4,936,736,000,000 of Federal contracts that hurt small Whitebear. Bernie had invited me to (Four trillion, nine hundred thirty-six businesses, and I have served as a attend the Mini-Pow Wow in my state billion, seven hundred thirty-six mil- champion of Small Business Develop- on February 7, 1998. He asked me to lion). ment Centers, which assist small busi- stop by to talk about the People’s Twenty-five years ago, July 21, 1975, nesses in getting the capital and assist- Lodge, to see the artwork, and to have the Federal debt stood at ance needed to get started and expand. a quick look at some of the traditional $533,588,000,000 (Five hundred thirty- I again commend the organizers, sup- dances. I told Bernie I would stop by, three billion, five hundred eighty-eight porters, and participants of EXPO 2000. but that I only had a short while be- million) which reflects a debt increase These fine men and women represent cause I had a lot of events I needed to of more than $5 trillion— the best of Texas’ entrepreneurial, attend that day. $5,134,120,257,883.47 (Five trillion, one hard-working and neighborly spirit. I I remember when I arrived at the hundred thirty-four billion, one hun- wish them all much future success, and University of Bernie wel- dred twenty million, two hundred fifty- I look forward to continuing to work comed me with his big bright smile and seven thousand, eight hundred eighty- with them to ensure that all Ameri- an outstretched hand. We watched three dollars and forty-seven cents) cans share in the fruits of our eco- some of the traditional dances, and during the past 25 years. nomic prosperity.∑ then I realized that if I didn’t leave f f soon I would be late for my next event. ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS A TRIBUTE TO BERNIE It was one of those days when I was WHITEBEAR trying to meet as many people as pos- sible. Well Bernie didn’t let me just ∑ Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, it is RECOGNITION OF EXPO 2000, A meet the people at the Mini-Pow Wow, with great admiration that I rise to he made me stay and understand them. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY MAR- pay tribute to Mr. Bernie Whitebear, of KETPLACE He started by introducing me to every- Seattle, Washington, who passed away one in the room. ∑ Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I at the age of 62 on Sunday, July 16, Then Bernie leaned over to me and rise to recognize the Houston Minority 2000. explained that it was customary for a Business Council and the other groups A long-standing advocate and leader visiting United States Senator to move and individuals who are now preparing in the fight for tribal self-determina- to the front of the dancing group. You for ‘‘EXPO 2000, a Business Oppor- tion, Bernie Whitebear was an out- know, it was one of the many Native tunity Marketplace,’’ to be held on Au- standing role-model for tribal and non- American traditions Bernie told me gust 31, 2000, in the George R. Brown tribal people alike. Known for his vi- about that always sounded a little in- Convention Center in Houston, Texas. sion, humor and commitment, he lives vented to me. Like another old tradi- This annual event is Texas’ largest mi- on in the minds and hearts of everyone tion he told me about: That anytime a nority business trade fair and offers a who knew him. U.S. Senator stepped foot in Discovery meeting ground for corporations seek- Bernie Whitebear was born on Sep- Park he or she had to pay a visit to the ing to identify experienced minority tember 27, 1937 on the Colville Indian Daybreak Star Center. Well there was entrepreneurs. Reservation in Eastern Washington. Bernie asking me to move to the front, Over the last decade, the number of Born into a large family, Bernie grew and who could say no to Bernie? minority owned businesses grew in the up confronting many of the barriers He had his arm around me. He was U.S. by an impressive 168 percent. facing reservation children, including leading me to the front. Everyone was These businesses generate half a tril- poverty and discrimination. watching, and I went along. The next lion dollars in revenue and employ As an adult, he moved to Seattle, at- thing I knew, I was leading about 300 nearly four million workers. This suc- tended the people in a tribal dance. Even though I cess has been in large measure due to and worked as an engineer for Boeing. was not born to be a dancer and I cer- the efforts of groups like the Houston He later joined the Army as a para- tainly didn’t know that particular

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