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January 3, 2001 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 57 The primary reason why any action short of overlooked. Promises were made to those CHIEF PHILLIP MARTIN—CHAM- the repeal of laws authorizing privacy viola- who served in the Uniformed Services. They PION OF PEACE AND PROS- tions is insufficient is because the federal gov- were told that their health care would be taken PERITY ernment lacks constitutional authority to force care of for life if they served a minimum of citizens to adopt a universal identifier for twenty years of active federal service. HON. TOM DeLAY health care, employment, or any other reason. Well, those military retirees served their time OF TEXAS Any federal action that oversteps constitutional and expected the government to hold up its IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES limitations violates liberty because it ratifies end of the bargain. They are now realizing Wednesday, January 3, 2001 the principle that the federal government, not that these were nothing more than empty the Constitution, is the ultimate judge of its Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to in- promises. Those who served in the military did troduce to the RECORD the following editorial own jurisdiction over the people. The only ef- not let their country down in its time of need fective protection of the rights of citizens is for that appears in Indian Country Today. As the and we should not let military retirees down in piece points out, Chief Phillip Martin of the Congress to follow Thomas Jefferson’s advice theirs. It’s time military retirees get what was and ‘‘bind (the federal government) down with Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has for promised to them and that’s why I am intro- more than a quarter of a century used the free chains of the Constitution.’’ ducing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, those members who are market as a tool to better the lives of his fel- unpersuaded by the moral and constitutional low tribe members and neighbors. f Self-reliance and not government depend- reasons for embracing the Identity Theft Pre- ency is the secret to prosperity. But there is vention Act should consider the overwhelming HONORING JUNE PINKNEY ROSS no need to tell Chief Martin that fact. He has opposition of the American people toward na- lived his life promoting the economic vitality of tional identifiers. The overwhelming public op- his people and they have reaped the benefits position to the various ‘‘Know-Your-Customer’’ HON. NICK LAMPSON of his progressive thinking. I salute Chief Mar- schemes, the attempt to turn drivers’ licenses OF TEXAS tin for all he has done to further the cause of into National ID cards, the Clinton Administra- freedom—for his people and for our nation. tion’s Medical Privacy proposal, as well as the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES numerous complaints over the ever-growing [From Indian Country Today, Dec. 27, 2000] Wednesday, January 3, 2001 uses of the Social Security number show that MISSISSIPPI CHOCTAWS: THE BENEFITS OF PEACE CHIEFS American people want Congress to stop in- Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, today I salute vading their privacy. Congress risks provoking If a people are going to strive to achieve and honor the indomitable June Pinkney Ross economic prosperity, the reduction of con- a voter backlash if we fail to halt the growth of Galveston, Texas. flict, the acceptance and understanding of of the surveillance state. I was recently honored to have contributed peace, is a most useful strategy. Mutual un- In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I once again call to the ‘‘Book of Letters’’ being presented next derstanding, common cause and unity of ac- on my colleagues to join me in putting an end week to Ms. Ross in celebration of her twenty- tion become possible. Little ever improves to the federal government’s unconstitutional from virulent conflict and nothing moves seven year career as Executive Director of the use of national identifiers to monitor the ac- forward in war. Leadership with vision often Galveston County Community Action Council. tions of private citizens. National identifiers works actively to reduce conflict while put- threaten all Americans by exposing them to The residents of Galveston County, particu- ting its major efforts toward the positive building of fair community governance and the threat of identity theft by private criminals larly the disenfranchised and the children who could not speak for themselves, have been efficient enterprises. At this moment of and abuse of their liberties by public criminals. shifting political climates, when the future In addition, national identifiers are incompat- well served by June Ross’ unselfish acts of of Native nations is clouded by uncertainties ible with a limited, constitutional government. I, caring, sharing, kindness and understanding of on the national level, it seems proper to sa- therefore, hope my colleagues will join my ef- their plight. lute a consistent peace chief, one who led his forts to protect the freedom of their constitu- It is well known that June Ross will literally own people from severe poverty and obscu- ents by supporting the Identity Theft Preven- fight to the bitter end for the right thing, is rity to sustained prosperity and regional po- tion Act. litical prominence. bluntly and sometimes frighteningly honest He is Phillip Martin, long-time chief of the f about how to address the needs of the poor Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. A man and does not mind sharing her unedited opin- INTRODUCTION OF THE MILITARY of great perseverance, the 75-year-old Martin ion on any subject that is placed on the table. has led and guided his 6,000-member Choctaw RETIREE HEALTH CARE TASK We who know her and have been privileged to tribe since 1959. Periodically, yet consist- FORCE ACT work with her always knew that we could ently reelected to the tribe’s highest office count on her to go after grants for which her for more than 40 years, Phillip Martin is uni- HON. JO ANN EMERSON agency qualified and, once the money was re- versally credited for the success of the Choc- taw, who are well posed to enter the 21st cen- OF MISSOURI ceived, to disburse it where it was most need- tury as a self-determined people. While IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ed. I have enjoyed working with June Ross other, more conflictive tribes have deepened Wednesday, January 3, 2001 and always felt that she would make a fair as- their economic dependencies and allowed spi- sessment of any situation that she was con- rals of violence to weaken their body politic, Mrs. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I am here fronted with and react accordingly. the Mississippi Choctaws have built steadily today to introduce the Military Retiree Health for more than 30 years. A well-entrenched Care Task Force Act of 2001. This legislation My one regret during our relationship is that tradition remembers the attitude of histor- will establish a Task Force that will look into I never got a chance to sample her cooking. ical chief, Pushmataha, who in 1811 reasoned all of the health care promises and represen- Ms. Ross’ radio cooking class was quite suc- against war with their neighbors while Te- tations made to members of the Uniformed cessful and listeners would bombard the sta- cumseh appealed to the Choctaw warriors to Services by Department of Defense personnel tion for her recipes. I am sure that she ap- join his war parties. While he had been a great warrior as a young man, Pushmataha and Department literature. The Task Force will proached that job with the same diligence and commitment that she has given to the State of opted for peace as he aged as a chief. submit a comprehensive report to Congress While Tecumseh has come down through which will contain a detailed statement of its Texas and Galveston County throughout the the history as the greater leader, and findings and conclusions. This report will in- years. I want to also take this opportunity to Pushmataha is the lesser known. Interest- clude legislative remedies to correct the great let her know that I am grateful for her service ingly, the response of Pushmataha, who cool- injustices that have occurred to those men to our great nation as a member of the United ly analyzed the horrible suffering war would and women who served their country in good States Military. bring, was actually quite sophisticated and just as completely dedicated to the preserva- faith. Mr. Speaker, I salute June Ross for all she tion and survival of his people. He pointed Let us not forget why we are blessed with has done to make the community better out how his own tribe had painstakingly freedom and democracy in this country. The (United Way, one of the original founders of worked out friendly relations with their sacrifices made by those who served in the Hospice) and hope she knows how much she white neighbors. Their relations were recip- military are something that must never be is respected and loved. rocal and as a result, things were going well. VerDate Aug 31 2005 10:29 Feb 28, 2007 Jkt 029102 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\E03JA1.000 E03JA1 erjones on PRODPC74 with SENATE 58 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS January 3, 2001 To start killing their neighbors with whom ereignty from taxation. In particular, the that the overflow of almost 300 people had to they had such relations did not seem a good Choctaw initiative convinced the country’s be accommodated in the church basement to idea to Pushmataha, who kept his people out major anti-tax organization—Americans for watch the service on large screen television.

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