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Floor Speech

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Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, before I begin, I want to take just a few minutes to honor two members of the ``greatest generation'' whom we lost recently, Marcella LeBeau and Bob Dole.

Marcella LeBeau died on Sunday, November 21. She was from my home State of South Dakota and a member of the Two Kettle Band of the Cheyenne River Sioux who served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II, including time on the frontlines treating the wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. She was decorated by both France and Belgium for her service.

After the war, she returned to South Dakota, spending 31 years working for the Indian Health Service, including as Director of Nursing, while raising eight children.

She was a powerful advocate for Native Americans throughout her entire life and was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council for 4 years and a founding member of the North American Women's Association.

Even in retirement, Marcella continued to advocate for Native Americans and also found time to open a quilting shop with her granddaughter featuring, among other things, the Lakota star quilt, used for honoring and naming ceremonies, memorials, and various life achievements.

Earlier in November, she traveled to Oklahoma to attend the ceremony for her induction into the National Native American Hall of Fame.

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