Honoring the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear, a pioneer in civil rights for Native Americans, on the 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) for his assistance in bringing this important resolution to the floor, as well as the distinguished gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for his assistance as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution, a measure I introduced earlier this year to honor the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear. His plea for justice and human decency challenged the heart of our Nation, yet his poignant story as one of America's earliest civil rights leaders remains largely unknown.

2008 is the 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death. It is fitting that we honor this anniversary, that generations of Americans will know his life and his legacy.

Standing Bear was born in the Niobrara River Valley, in what is now Nebraska, in 1834. An individual of exceptional talent and ability, he became chief of the Ponca Tribe at a young age. In 1877, the Ponca people were forced by treaty to relocate from their home in Nebraska to the Indian territory of Oklahoma. The hardship of this 500-mile journey on foot, illnesses, as well as the harsh living conditions in Oklahoma, caused the death of many members of the tribe, including Chief Standing Bear's son.

Committed to a promise he made to his son to return him to their Niobrara homeland for burial, Chief Standing Bear left for Nebraska with all who would follow him. Upon their return, the Chief and 30 of his fellow Ponca Tribe members were arrested by the Department of Interior in Omaha.

With the assistance of Omaha attorneys, John Webster and A.J. Poppleton, and frontier newsman, Thomas Tibbles, who worked for the predecessor to our current newspaper in Omaha, the Omaha World-Herald, Chief Standing Bear petitioned the Federal courts for relief from the unjust Federal treatment of the Ponca Tribe.

In 1879, the case came before U.S. District Court Judge Elmer Dundy. At the conclusion of his testimony, Chief Standing Bear raised his hand and he spoke these words: ``That hand is not the color of yours,'' he said. ``But if I pierce it, I shall feel pain. If you pierce your hand, you will also feel pain. The blood that will flow from mine will be the same color as yours. I am a man. God made us both.''

The wisdom and dignity in Standing Bear's words were not lost on Judge Dundy who ruled that Native Americans are, in fact, citizens endowed with all of the rights and all of the freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution. Through the steadfast efforts of Chief Standing Bear and caring Nebraskans, the Ponca won their freedom and the right to return to their Nebraska homeland on the Niobrara where Chief Standing Bear declared, ``Here we will live, and here we will die.''

Chief Standing Bear would spend the next 4 years touring the United States advocating for Native Americans' civil rights and inspiring a generation. Then he returned to his home near the mouth of Niobrara, farmed his land, and died there a quarter century later in 1908.

Mr. Speaker, the courage and determination of Chief Standing Bear have earned him a place in our civil rights history. His example is an inspiration for all those engaged in the advancement of civil rights, of human rights.

I want to thank all of my colleagues in the House who have been supportive of bringing this resolution to the floor so that we can rightly honor this great man, Chief Standing Bear.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1043, which honors the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear on the 100th anniversary of his death.

Chief Standing Bear is an important figure in our Nation's civil rights movement. He was born in what is now Nebraska, where his tribe, the Ponca, was forced to leave by a Federal treaty in 1878. The young chief led his tribe to the Indian Territory of Oklahoma, an inhospitable region that killed many of his members, including his own son. Determined to bury his son on Ponca soil, Chief Standing Bear returned to Nebraska, where he was arrested by Federal authorities.

His case went to Federal court in 1879, where prosecutors argued that Native Americans were not considered people under the Constitution. Impressed with Chief Standing Bear's impassioned defense, the judge ruled he was indeed a citizen with full Constitutional rights. Thanks to this significant legal precedent, the Ponca were allowed to return home and better lands were given to Native American tribes.

Chief Standing Bear's story won the attention and sympathy of many throughout the United States. At a time when tribal rights were ignored and abused, Chief Standing Bear stood up for justice.

On this 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to honor this man of courage and integrity and his important role in our Nation's continuing struggle for justice and equality.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1043) honoring the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear, a pioneer in civil rights for Native Americans, on the 100th anniversary of Chief Standing Bear's death.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Chief Standing Bear, a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, stood against the grains of injustice in the name of his people. His valuable and historic contributions as a Native American leader would be further honored on the 100th anniversary of his death through this resolution.

I would like to commend our colleague from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry) for sponsoring this resolution that is before us today.

I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to yield back.

I yield back my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of one of our nation's greatest advocates for Native Americans, Chief Standing Bear.

I have long said a leader does not make people do the right thing--a leader inspires them to do the right thing.

Chief Standing Bear was such a leader.

Born in Nebraska, the Ponca Chief and his tribe were forcibly moved to Oklahoma. In 1879, Chief Standing Bear was arrested and put on trial for leaving Indian Territory to bury his son in their ancestral home.

After a two-day trial, a federal judge recognized Standing Bear as human under the law and freed him, a landmark decision securing constitutional rights for all Native Americans.

I am proud to cosponsor H. Res. 1043, honoring Chief Standing Bear's life, legacy, and contributions to civil rights.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 1043 honors the life and legacy of Chief Standing Bear, a pioneer in civil rights for Native Americans. This resolution also commemorates the 100th anniversary of his death, and I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chief Standing Bear.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska, the sponsor of this bill, the author of this bill, Mr. Fortenberry.

I yield back my time.