The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RETIREMENT RECOGNITION FOR ROBERT HOLDEN” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E285-E286 on March 8, 2018.
The Department oversees energy policies and is involved in how the US handles nuclear programs. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department's misguided energy regulations have caused large losses to consumers for decades.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RETIREMENT RECOGNITION FOR ROBERT HOLDEN
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HON. MARKWAYNE MULLIN
of oklahoma
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 8, 2018
Mr. MULLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Robert Holden, a member of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Tribes, who joined the staff of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 1984 and retired last December after 33 years of dedicated service to NCAI and to the millions of Native people that were foremost in his mind every day of his life.
Many of you know that NCAI was begun in 1944 at the peak of the Federal government's ``Termination Policy,'' which sought to dissolve Indian tribal governments and to assimilate Indian people into the mainstream of America. Today, NCAI is the oldest, largest and most representative tribal organization in the country, with more than 300 member tribes.
When people in Congress or in public want to gauge the views of Indian Country on matters of health care, housing, cultural issues, economic development or sovereignty, they turn to NCAI.
For more than three decades, these people have often talked to Robert who spent most of his career at NCAI when salaries were low, there was no proper retirement program or health care, and with few staff. This meant long days, evenings and weekends, travel away from home and family, and often-frustrating times getting the attention of decision-
makers in Congress and Federal agencies.
Working under the leadership of at least 6 Executive Directors, Robert became, over time, the institutional and collective memory of the NCAI organization as well as the source of continuity that is so important to a membership organization like NCAI.
None of these challenges could prevent Robert from persisting in his life's work and his absolute dedication to the cause of tribal sovereignty and improving the lives of Indian people.
Robert's leadership and commitment to the mission of NCAI stabilized the organization through many internal changes and external challenges.
Robert's work for NCAI over the years has been varied and compelling.
In the 1990's he managed the Nuclear Waste Policy Committee for NCAI on a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy, which anchored the organization's finances during a very difficult period. By identifying other contract and grant opportunities, Robert generated millions of dollars to NCAI, making possible the good work of the organization over the years.
Robert had great success on policy issues--particularly emergency response and tribal-friendly amendments to the Stafford Act, which he labored on for more than two decades. His efforts bore fruit when a window of opportunity opened after Hurricane Sandy and, as was typical of his work ethic, Robert jumped in with both feet. This is a prime example of Robert's patient but steady vision and how his long-term commitment has benefitted not just NCAI but tribal communities across the United States.
Robert is also leaving a legacy from his work with Native Veterans: his accomplishments include the recent decision by the Veterans Administration to expand the Tribal Veterans Service Officers Program; Native Code Talker legislation; and the establishment and funding of the National Indian Veterans Memorial, which will be housed on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian.
As a strong supporter and advocate for Native political participation, Robert pressed for increased voter awareness and action in Native communities even before the ``Native Vote'' phenomenon took shape.
In all of Robert's work, his fundamental belief in the wisdom of Indian people and the capacity of tribal governments to take on challenges of increasing technical complexity before long was one of the anchors of the Tribal Self-Governance movement, particularly in law enforcement and public safety.
Robert Holden may have retired, but he is not going away. He plans to serve as an Ambassador at Large for NCAI, continuing to participate in NCAI gatherings, and continuing to serve the Indian people and our country as he has done his whole adult life.
In 2017, the NCAI's member tribes unanimously passed Resolution MKE-
17-027 titled ``Appreciation for Robert Holden.'' Therefore, I include this Resolution in the Record.
I am grateful to Robert for his life's dedication to these important matters and for his indomitable spirit in making sure Indian tribes were always part of the discussion here in the halls of power in Washington, D.C.
I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in wishing Robert all the best in whatever the Creator has in store for him in the years to come.
Appreciation for Robert Holden
The National Congress of American Indians
Whereas, We, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
Whereas, The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
Whereas, Robert Holden, the Deputy Director of NCAI, is preparing for a well-deserved retirement; and
Whereas, Robert started at NCAI in 1984 and for 33 years has graciously shared his tenacity, resilience, intelligence and compassion to make lasting change for tribal nations; and
Whereas, Robert's leadership and commitment to the mission of NCAI has stabilized the organization through many internal and external changes; and
Whereas, For more than a decade Robert managed the important National Indian Nuclear Waste Policy Committee, with Russell Jim of the Yakama Nation serving as Chairman, at a time when Congress was considering the creation of a geologic repository at Yucca Mountain and the movement of significant amounts of high-level nuclear waste across many reservations; and
Whereas, Robert Holden has been a leader in promoting emergency and radiological preparedness and transportation safety and urged proactive steps to address impacts on Indian tribes and provide emergency response capabilities; and
Whereas, Robert Holden's work led directly to the Stafford Act amendments authorizing Indian tribes, as sovereigns, to make disaster declarations directly to the President of the United States; and
Whereas, Robert has been consistently committed to working with Native Veterans, and the expansion of tribal veterans services and Robert has kept forth issues such as the Native Code Talker Bill and a National Indian Veterans Memorial, and fought to keep the Veterans Committee going for every veteran to attend at no cost; and
Whereas, Robert has maintained exemplary commitment to voting participation in Indian Country; and
Whereas, In all of Robert's work, his support for the capacity of tribal government to take on challenges of increasing technical complexity has been one of the anchors of the SelfGovernance movement, particularly in law enforcement and public safety; and
Whereas, Robert has developed and maintained hundreds of relationships with tribal leaders from around Indian country, building trust with NCAI; and
Whereas, Robert plans to continue as an ambassador for NCAI, participating in the NCAI gatherings, continuing his lifelong commitment to advancing tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and the federal trust responsibility; and
Whereas, words cannot capture the immeasurable spirit and incomparable contributions of Robert Holden to NCAI and to the whole of Indian Country; Now therefore be it
Resolved, That the National Congress of American Indians
(NCAI) expresses deep appreciation, love, gratitude, friendship, and respect for Robert Holden.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted by the General Assembly at the 2017 Annual Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, WI, Oct 15, 2017-Oct 20, 2017, with a quorum present.
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