Former South Dakotan politician James Abourezk, a Democrat who was raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, passed away on Friday at the age of 92. Abourezk, the first Arab American to hold the office of senator in the United States, was well renowned for his quick wit and support of liberal causes.
After getting hospice care in his final days, Abourezk passed away on his birthday at his home in Sioux Falls. Sanaa Abourezk, his wife, and other family members were all gathered around him.
Who Was James Abourezk?
During the 1970s, Abourezk represented South Dakota for a single term in both the U.S. House and Senate. He was well-known for his Prairie Populist brand of politics, which was distinguished by a strong dedication to defending the underdogs, such as farmers, consumers, and Native People.
Abourezk was instrumental in pushing for the establishment of the American Indian Policy Review Commission as the first chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Aid Act, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the Indian Child Welfare Act were all passed as a result of the commission’s thorough examination of government policy toward American Indian tribes.
The latter was made to lessen the frequency with which Native American children were taken from their households and put with non-Indian families.
The passing of Abourezk marks the end of an era for South Dakota and the country as a whole. He will be remembered as a tenacious fighter for justice and equality who spoke up for the oppressed.
In 1973, Wounded Knee in South Dakota was taken over and occupied as part of the American Indian Movement’s demonstration against how the US government treated Native American tribes. James Abourezk went to Wounded Knee with fellow Democrat Senator George McGovern in an effort to talk to the activists who were engaged in a confrontation with federal law enforcement.
Abourezk also ran an unsuccessful campaign against the deregulation of natural gas, which raised consumer prices. He also started speaking out against US Middle East policy. In 1978, Abourezk decided against running for re-election.