October 16, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11621 On the other side of the coin is the Last night I was at a funeral service I also want to say, Mr. Speaker, that Little Rock Central High School itself, for Mr. Bellecourt, and while I regret I met Mr. Bellecourt in the early 1980s one of the most beautiful high schools to report the recent passing of Mr. in Detroit, Michigan, when he was in the United States, and it is noted Bellecourt at age 75, I am grateful for standing up for Native Americans at there: ‘‘Little Rock Central High his spirit of equality and inclusiveness the Hopi Indian Reservation as they School.’’ which will continue to live on in the were in a conflict with Peabody Coal Now, the reason I show this coin to Twin Cities of Minnesota and around Company over land and treaty rights. I the Members on the floor tonight is the world. got to know him better when I joined this coin is currently available for sale Mr. Bellecourt, a member of the him in northern Wisconsin, standing on at the U.S. Mint, usmint.gov. And for Ojibwe Band of the Minnesota Chip- the docks to stand up for Native Amer- those of you who need some help, go to pewa Tribe, came to St. Paul from Min- ican treaty rights. And whether you usmint.gov and then go to the section nesota’s White Earth Indian Reserva- agree with him or not, Mr. Speaker, he that says ‘‘Coins and Medals’’ and click tion. As a skilled communicator and a embodied the spirit of an American on that and click on ‘‘Commemora- natural leader, Vernon championed the standing up for what you believe in, tives,’’ and you can find out how to power of community. He practiced speaking out for what is right, speak- order this beautiful coin. what he preached, solidifying his com- ing up for the people who don’t have a Also available at usmint.gov is the mitment to community by operating voice. other 2007 coin that was brought by the several small businesses. And while Mr. Speaker, Vernon Bellecourt will late Representative Jo Ann Davis, a Vernon was a businessman, his great- be sorely missed and will never be for- much beloved Member of this body who est contribution was as a human rights gotten. In my opinion, he is a great recently passed away. That coin honors leader around the world and in Min- man and he has helped us discover our- the 400th anniversary of the founding nesota. selves in a deeper and more meaningful of Jamestown in 1607. Let me read a little bit from the way. May God bless Vernon Bellecourt So we have two wonderful commemo- Washington Post obituary that ap- and sympathy for his family. rative coins: this one honoring the de- peared today in the paper: f segregation of Little Rock Central ‘‘Vernon Bellecourt, who fought to High School by the Little Rock Nine in restore land and dignity to Native The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a 1957 and the 400th anniversary of Americans and against the use of In- previous order of the House, the gen- Jamestown. dian nicknames for sports teams as a tleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is Now, what many people may not re- longtime leader of the American Indian recognized for 5 minutes. alize is $10 of every sale of each coin Movement (AIM) died October 13 of (Mr. DEFAZIO addressed the House. goes to support these historic sites, complications of pneumonia at a Min- His remarks will appear hereafter in and that is why I am down here to- neapolis hospital. the Extensions of Remarks.) night, Mr. Speaker, encouraging people ‘‘Since leaving behind careers as a f to go to usmint.gov and order these hair stylist and real estate agent and OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENT’S coins to tell the legacy, to pass a leg- joining his brother’’ Clyde Bellecourt VETO OF THE SCHIP BILL acy on, to tell the stories. They make ‘‘at AIM in the 1970s, Mr. Bellecourt wonderful holiday gifts this year, but had been in the forefront of the move- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a they also just make wonderful gifts ment to ensure that treaty rights of previous order of the House, the gen- from people to younger people to re- Native American tribes and the U.S. tleman from Wisconsin (Mr. KAGEN) is member the legacy and the courage of Government would be fulfilled. He was recognized for 5 minutes. the Little Rock Nine, usmint.gov. president of the National Coalition of Mr. KAGEN. Mr. Speaker, last I also want to acknowledge this Racism in Sports and the Media and a evening I introduced you to a young evening in Little Rock, Arkansas, the principal spokesman for AIM. girl that I had the honor of rep- presence of Kevin Klose, the present ‘‘He was involved in numerous dem- resenting in northeastern Wisconsin. president of National Public Radio. onstrations to bring attention to his This is 3-year-old Kailee Meronek. Right now he is at a reception at the causes, including the 1972 occupation of Kailee and her family live in a trailer home of Don and Suzanne Hamilton in the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Wash- home just north of Appleton, and she Little Rock, Arkansas. They are my ington and the 1992 Super Bowl rally to receives care only because the United neighbors across the street. They are protest the name of Washington’s foot- States Congress passed a Republican- great members of the Friends of KLRE/ ball team. He also spoke at colleges inspired bill called the SCHIP, the KUAR. Unfortunately, I can’t be there. and universities around the world State Children’s Health Insurance Pro- I believe my wife is ill and can’t be about more than 400 treaties that the gram. And through that program, funds there. But I wish them well and wel- group believed the U.S. was not hon- were sent to Wisconsin, and we created come Kevin Klose to Arkansas. oring. in Wisconsin a program called f ‘‘Clyde Bellecourt, a founding mem- BadgerCare. BadgerCare guarantees The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ber of AIM, said yesterday that his that nearly 57,000 citizens throughout previous order of the House, the gen- brother had been in Venezuela about 4 the State have access to health care. tleman from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) is weeks ago’’ to talk about ‘‘providing And because they see their doctor in recognized for 5 minutes. heating assistance to American their doctor’s office, the costs for their (Mr. BURTON of Indiana addressed tribes.’’ health care go down. They are not seen the House. His remarks will appear Mr. Speaker, let me wrap up and say in the emergency room. They are seen hereafter in the Extensions of Re- that Vernon Bellecourt brought an in the doctor’s office. marks.) issue to the attention of the American Kailee gets health care because of people that most of us walk past very BadgerCare. But BadgerCare and f quickly. Most of us would look at Na- SCHIP are in limbo. Their futures are TRIBUTE TO VERNON tive American sports team mascots and in doubt. Why? Because this Congress BELLECOURT think no big deal. But just imagine, if is considering and will vote on Thurs- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a you would, Mr. Speaker, teams called day morning whether or not to over- previous order of the House, the gen- the Chicago Negroes or the Washington ride President Bush’s veto of this fun- tleman from Minnesota (Mr. ELLISON) Caucasians. None of us would appre- damentally important program that is recognized for 5 minutes. ciate that kind of depiction of our eth- provides health care to millions of our Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, today I nicity, and Mr. Bellecourt didn’t appre- children who are most in need across rise to pay tribute to the life of Vernon ciate it either. And he helped elevate the country. The SCHIP bill, which was Bellecourt of Minnesota, a selfless the self-esteem of young Native Ameri- vetoed by the President, guarantees servant who committed his life not just cans and also helped us understand our that our children, the children of our to fight for American Indians but for common humanity as we respect each Nation, have access to health care at the rights of all people. other due to his inspirational work. the physician’s office. It focuses on VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:41 Oct 17, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K16OC7.140 H16OCPT1 hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMHOUSE.