Senate Resolution Honors Ben Nighthorse Campbell: Recognizes Olympic Career, Tribal Advocacy, and Legislative Legacy

This Senate resolution is a formal tribute honoring the life, service, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado. Unlike bills that change laws or allocate funds, this type of resolution serves as a ceremonial, official recognition of a distinguished career, detailing his wide-ranging achievements from the military to the Senate.

The Life and Legislative Impact

The resolution lays out Campbell’s impressive resume, starting with his service in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. It notes his athletic achievements as an Olympic judo athlete and his career as an award-winning jewelry designer before entering politics. For those of us focused on policy, the resolution highlights his legislative tenure, emphasizing his historical significance as one of the few enrolled members of a federally recognized Tribe to serve in Congress, and later, the first and only American Indian to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (from 1997 to 2005).

Policy Wins for the Public and Tribes

The text specifically calls out several landmark legislative achievements that continue to impact people today. The most notable is the law he authored to establish the National Museum of the American Indian. This wasn't just a symbolic gesture; it created a permanent, federally funded institution dedicated to the history, culture, and arts of Native Americans, ensuring that these stories and histories are accessible to the public and preserved for future generations.

Beyond tribal issues, the resolution credits him with legislation that elevated the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to a national park and created the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. For anyone who enjoys national parks or values historical preservation, these are tangible, real-world benefits that came directly from his work. He also secured the Animas-La Plata water projects for the Southern Ute Indian and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes, a critical move for resource management in the West.

What Happens Next

Since this is a tribute, the actions required are purely administrative and ceremonial. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate the resolution to the House of Representatives and, most importantly, transmit an enrolled copy to the family of Ben Nighthorse Campbell as a formal expression of sorrow and regret. Furthermore, the resolution states that the Senate will stand in recess as a mark of respect, which is a traditional, high honor reserved for deceased colleagues. This resolution doesn't change your taxes or your workplace rules, but it formally cements a significant public figure’s contributions into the Congressional record.