Baucus Honors Elouise Cobell on U.S. Senate Floor

October 18, 2011

***For Immediate Release***
BAUCUS HONORS ELOUISE COBELL ON U.S. SENATE FLOOR
Senator Delivers Speech Highlighting Cobell's Legacy as "Warrior for Justice"


A Native American expression on the circle of life offers insight into a life well lived:

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."

On Sunday, the world cried when Elouise Cobell left the earth.

Elouise was a brave member of the Blackfeet Nation from my home state of Montana, who fought tirelessly for what was right.

On Sunday, the world lost a great hero.

Native American people everywhere lost a champion.

Her husband Alvin and son Turk along with her entire extended family lost an admired and irreplaceable loved one. And I can say -- with deep gratitude for having worked with her for many years -- I lost a dear friend.

Through her persistence and determination, she drew attention to the federal government's mismanagement of Indian trust lands.

She deserves the highest recognition and thanks for helping close a chapter on a bitter history of broken promises.

For more than 100 years, the federal government did not fairly compensate Native Americans in Montana and across the nation for revenue generated from their land.

Elouise worked tirelessly through the courts until the judicial system finally recognized what she had uncovered.

The judge decried the federal government's actions as "fiscal and government irresponsibility in its purest form."

I was proud and humbled to work with her on the legislative plan to help settle the longstanding Indian trust lawsuit.

Last year, we passed bipartisan legislation to provide a long-overdue conclusion for hundreds of thousands of folks in Indian Country.

Recently, I joined my colleague Senator Tester, who introduced legislation to award Elouise with the Congressional Gold Medal -- the highest honor possible from Congress.

Cobell fought for many who could not fight for themselves and the brought a voice to many who died before being able to see justice served.

May we never forget Elouise's long battle to right this wrong.

May Elouise's memory continue to inspire everyone who believes that justice is worth the fight.

And, may the Creator welcome Elouise home with joy and tenderness as we offer our thoughts and prayers to her loved ones.

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn Elouise because she lived a life worth rejoicing.
(end speech text)

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