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RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MARCELLA ROSE RYAN LeBEAU
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HON. DUSTY JOHNSON
of south dakota
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Marcella Rose Ryan LeBeau, Wigmu>ke Waste Wi>
(Pretty Rainbow Woman), of the Cheyenne River Oohenu>pa (Two Kettle) Lakota Nation. Marcella LeBeau, a decorated veteran of the Second World War and a constant advocate for Indian country, passed away on November 22, 2021 at the age of 102.
Mrs. LeBeau was born in 1919, in Promise, South Dakota, and was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. After the death of her mother and grandmother, LeBeau attended an Indian boarding school where she faced much discrimination and was barred from speaking the Lakota language.
When LeBeau was 23 she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps and served in England, France, and Belgium during the Second World War. As a nurse with the 76th General Hospital Unit, she treated frontline soldiers during the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. According to Mrs. LeBeau, ``it was the greatest honor of my life to serve.''
After the war, LeBeau continued to serve her community as an R.N. for 31 years until she retired as the director of nursing for the Indian Health Service on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Marcella also served on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council from 1991 to 1995 where she succeeded in leading a campaign to ban smoking in tribal buildings.
Mrs. LeBeau remained active in organizations and advocacy for Native Americans' rights and health and was a co-founding member of the North American Indian Women's Association.
Mrs. LeBeau married Gilbert LeBeau in 1947 and together they had eight children, 29 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
LeBeau has been recognized and honored in many ways throughout her life. In 2004, LeBeau was awarded the French Legion of Honor for her service in World War II, which is the highest honor given by the French government. She was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2006 and awarded the Women in History Award from the Spirit of the Prairie Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2016. LeBeau also received an honorary doctorate degree in Public Service from South Dakota State University in 2018. In 2020, the National Congress of the American Indian recognized her with a leadership award, and USA Today named her as one of the most influential women of the century. On November 6, 2021, she was inducted into the National Native American Hall of Fame.
Madam Speaker, Marcella LeBeau dedicated her life to the service of her family, her tribe, and her nation. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring her contributions to our nation and the people of South Dakota. I extend my deepest condolences to the LeBeau family, Marcella will be deeply missed.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 211(1), Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 211(2)
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