EXTENSIONS of REMARKS May 26, 1993 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS

11366 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS May 26, 1993 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS MEMORIAL-STERLING BOLIMA Monument and Wilderness status. Admiralty of the very first to recognize the potential in Island is also a storehouse of timber and min the relationship between Native Alaskans and HON. DON YOUNG eral resources, as well. As with many Native environmentalists, and to capitalize on that re OF ALASKA villages in somewhat similar situations, lationship. politically. This recognition, as you IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Angoon-and Kootznoowoo-had to face the may guess, was not one which always en dilemma of preserving their traditional lifestyle, deared Sterling to me or others in the Alaska Wednesday, May 26, 1993 and their land, while providing economic ad Congressional delegation, but it was an in Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, it is vancement for their people. In Angoon, they sightful and important idea which was ex with great sadness that I report to my col made a firm choice. tremely important to the people of leagues today the death last week of Sterling Sterling Solima, and Kootznoowoo, were de Kootznoowoo. Even when there were dif Solima, who was for many years the Washing termined, from early on, not only to resist the ferences over how to resolve problems, the re ton representative for Kootznoowoo, Inc., the dev~lopment of their own land and resources lationship of the Congressional delegation with Native village corporation for Angoon, Alaska, around their village on Admiralty Island, but Sterling was one of respect and friendship. a small village on Admiralty Island. From the also the development of other lands on Admi Sterling Solima was a man who made a dif passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settle ralty which had been selected by other Native ference on behalf of his people; he made an ment Act to the present, Sterling was a part of corporations whose villages were not on the impact on all of those with whom he worked. the history of Alaska's lands, a literal fixture Island. This put Kootznoowoo, and Sterling, I join with all Alaskans and with all of those in with respect to land and resources decisions from time to time, at odds with other Native the Congress, both Members and staff, who that were made over the past 25 years re corporations, and I confess, with me. Nonethe worked with Sterling in extending our heartfelt specting Alaska. Many of my colleagues knew less, Sterling's opposition to one idea usually sympathies to his family and to all of those in Sterling, and remember him with affection, but came along with the suggestion of alternatives Kootznoowoo who benefitted from his labors. may not have known how much was packed to accomplish the objective in another way. into his short life. For years, and through many amendments to Sterling was born in 1940 in Sacramento, the Settlement Act, Sterling worked with Con TRIBUTE TO PAUL FEUER CA, but nonetheless was an Alaskan from the gress, the Forest Service, the Department of start. His father, Francisco, had worked for the Interior, the State of Alaska, and others to HON. SUSAN MOLINARI years with the Alaska Territorial Legislature shape alternatives which protected the natural OF NEW YORK beginning as early as the 1920's, and his resources of Admiralty Island, yet afforded IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mother, Lenora, was born on Admiralty Island economic development opportunities in other Wednesday, May 26, 1993 in a small village which no longer exists. She areas of Southeast Alaska. Ms. MOLINARI. Mr. Speaker, on July 9, is still alive today, 94 years old and living in During the consideration and passage of the 1993, the Navy Exchange Service Command Seattle and, like Sterling, was a member of Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation on Staten Island will suffer a great loss. On the Raven Clan. Act [ANILCA], Sterling was a ubiquitous pres this day, after dedicating 38 years of service As a young man of 17 years, Sterling joined ence on the Washington scene, working with to Nexcom, Paul Feuer will retire. the U.S. Army and was trained as a para the offices of the Alaska delegation and others Paul, a native of Brooklyn and former resi trooper and photogrammetrist. Stationed in to achieve a significant land exchange which dent of Staten Island, was chosen for a sum France in the late 1950's, Sterling was as conveyed much on Kootznoowoo's land on mer job with Nexcom in 1955, after graduating signed to the CIA, which he served as a spe Admiralty Island to the Federal Government from Lafayette High School. That summer job cialist in aerial photo and map interpretations for inclusion in the National Monument, in ex never ended, and Paul progressed from the doing top security analysis regarding Angola, change for lands off Admiralty suitable for de most junior clerical position, to one of the most Uganda, and other sensitive areas. Sterling velopment and timber harvest. This exchange, senior executive positions within Nexcom, continued work in photogrammetry and sur Section 506 of ANILCA, is in many respects a serving as deputy commander of the Con veying related to resource management fol tribute to the dedication and tenacity of Ster tracts Gmup. lowing his years of military service. ling Solima in representing Kootznoowoo and As the deputy commander, Paul has pro In the early 1970's, Sterling began his work his home village of Angoon. vided oversight, guidance, and direction for for the village of Angoon, and Kootznoowoo, In the years since then, Sterling continued the worldwide contracting of services, mer Inc. From the outset, whatever Sterling's job to work in Washington, DC, as necessary, chandise, equipment, and supplies for Navy description, his mission was to see that people solving the Federal problems of his people. Ul exchanges, commissaries, ships stores, Navy understood and treated Angoon and Admiralty timately, the Admiralty Island Wilderness was lodges, and the Navy Uniform Program. Island as very special places. Over the years, renamed, in legislation that Sterling brought to While he has had many accomplishments he convinced thousands of people, many of me and I sponsored, the Kootznoowoo and his over the years, Paul's primary focus through them key congressional and executive branch home village of Angoon. out his time with Nexcom was to get the very officials, of his case. In the years since then, Sterling continued best for the sailor, while providing service Sterling was on the scene, as the Washing to work in Washington, DC, as necessary, members with a "taste of home, away from ton representative for Angoon-which became solving the Federal problems of his people. Ul home." the village corporation of Kootznoowoo-dur timately, the Admiralty Island Wilderness was Paul was always a team player, and encour ing the passage of the Alaska Native Claims renamed, in legislation that Sterling brought to aged teamwork amongst all associates. He Settlement Act. From that point forward, Ster me and I sponsored, the Kootznoowoo Wilder also provided numerous opportunities for train ling became the virtual embodiment of ness-meaning the Fortress of the Bears. ing and advancement for women and minori Kootznoowoo and Angoon in Washington, DC. Over the years, Sterling Solima became the ties. Although he was diminutive in stature and symbol of his village in Washington, and I In 1976, the Department of Defense decided quiet in manner, Sterling was nonetheless a hope he is recognized and remembered there to relocate Nexcom from Brooklyn to Great force with which to be reckoned, committed for the stature he obtained for his people in Lakes. Paul was instrumental in getting and creative in his pursuit of the interests of his Nation's capital. Nexcom's rent reduced by several hundred his village and his corporation. Those who knew him best understood that, thousand dollars, thereby canceling the reloca Angoon and Kootznoowoo were, and are, as quiet and understated as he was, Sterling tion. unique in many respects. Angoon is the only had power, creativity, and wisdom in the man And when Nexcom was looking for a new village on Admiralty Island, a one million acre agement of resources, and in finding ways to home in 1981, it was Paul who took an active treasure house of natural resources in South secure both the protection and the develop role in soliciting support for Nexcom to move east Alaska, now recognized by National ment of Alaska's resources. Sterling was one to Fort Wadsworth on Staten island. e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. May 26, 1993 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 11367 During his 38 years of service to Nexcom, made a difference in a multitude of endeavors main active as a councilman in the city to Paul married his wife Doris, and together they as a mother, a wife, a nurse, and a housing which he has dedicated his life. raised four children. Besides family and work, activist. Paul found the time to get involved in our For many years, Mr. Speaker, she has community, by managing Little League base struggled valiantly to improve public housing. HONORING FRED LEBOW ball for 6 years. She has nobly faced the Philadelphia City Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to have Council, the Pennsylvania Housing Authority, HON. GARY L ACKERMAN this opportunity to honor Paul Feuer, for his the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and the OF NEW YORK distinguished career, and his commitment to U.S.

Load more