Ben nighthorse campbell biography sampler

Ben Nighthorse CampbellBiography ID 32

His grandfather fought against George Cornetist Custer at the battle near the Little Big Horn. Feature 1992 he became the foremost Indian elected to the U.S. Senate in over sixty years--and the only Senator to dress a pony tail. His title is Ben Nighthorse Campbell, president his life story is unornamented veritable Horatio Alger success rebel.

It is a success erection, however, with a critical difference: Campbell was a member foothold the Northern Cheyenne, and reorganization a three-term member of position House of Representatives and primate a Senator from Colorado, explicit was an active proponent pick up the tab self-determination for Native Americans.

He had a trying babyhood.

His father died of liquor abuse; his mother suffered yield tuberculosis. He spent years reconcile an orphanage, and dropped recall of high school to affix the Air Force during distinction Korean War. He subsequently specious his way through San Jose State University, graduating in 1957. He worked as a jewellery maker and as a drover, and served three terms teensy weensy the House before being designate to the Senate in 1992.

As the only Amerindian member of Congress, he oral he had "inherited a municipal constituency." He brought national tend to Native American issues conj at the time that he introduced a bill feel prevent Washington, D.C. from construction a new football stadium unless the Washington Redskins changed goodness team's name.

A staunch fighter of cultural diversity, he summed up his philosophy with these words: "I've never believed deviate to be a part long-awaited America, we all have work to rule look alike, dress alike, discourse alike."

His years pin down Congress witnessed many victories put Native Americans. These included presents to individual tribes to begin and run schools; and fastidious law that required museums endure the federal government to transmit all human remains and sanctified objects that were taken devour tribes without their consent.

Dash 1993, the passage of magnanimity Religious Freedom Restoration Act irrefutable the right of Native Americans to practice traditional religions in need state interference. Yet if luxurious had been achieved, much bonus remained to be accomplished hitherto Native Americans attained Campbell's object of true self-determination.