On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, Congress held a ceremony commemorating the dedication of the statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall. The ceremony included remarks by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Republican Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, Democratic Leader of the U.S. Senate Chuck Schumer, Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee Roy Blunt, as well as Nebraska U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry, Governor Pete Ricketts and State Senator Tom Brewer. Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Chairman Larry Wright, Jr. provided the invocation. Chief Standing Bear descendant Steve Laravie Jr. and Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs Executive Director Judi gaishkaibos joined the Congressional leaders in unveiling the statue.

Katie Brossy led Akin Gump’s efforts in helping to bring the Chief Standing Bear statue to Statuary Hall. For more information about Brossy and Akin Gump’s efforts click here and here. Click here to see the statue displayed in Statuary Hall.