Viewing page 70 of 86

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

you from the depths of my heart for your patience, for your indulgence in helping me to conduct the business in this Convention in what I think to have been an efficient and valuable way. Frankly, I have deeply appreciated the many compliments that have come to me personally, but I want to tell you that I couldn't have served you as I have without the intelligent thought and the willingness to serve unless I would have gotten the inspiration from the people of the floor of this Convention. There is a great significance in our achievements here. I believe that the way we have gone through this Convention will be an inspiration to the officers and committeemen who will carry on the work under the program and policies as you have given it to them. I have great hopes for this organization. I know that we have a great cause for which to work, for which to think, for which to pray, and for which, if necessary, to fight. I think we are leaving that commitment in the hands of the right people. I believe that as time goes on we who have taken part in this Convention will have felt that we came here not only to get the significance of the meeting but that our efforts will have earned the respect of the American people and that we can command the continued respect of the people in the United States.
My friends, with those few remarks I want to present to you your officers and your committeemen for the next year, and I know that they will go forth in their work with your blessing and that success will have been written upon their efforts here at this Convention. I thank you.
The newly elected officers were applauded.
Mr. La Vatta moved that this Constitutional Convention be now adjourned. Mr. Cross seconded the motion. 
Judge Johnson, the newly elected President was asked to say a few words.
JUDGE JOHNSON: Ladies and gentlemen, I appreciate very much the honor that has been conferred upon me. The first temptation was to withdraw from the responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders along with the responsibility that will be shared with this Executive Council. For many years I have had a desire to be of some service to to the Indian people of the United States and Alaska. I have never sought any office in Indian organizations but have accepted committee work where I felt I could serve in the interest of Indian people.
There are a number of problems that concern all of us. We have several tribes represented here today and problems that are peculiar to their locations and problems that concern their respective tribes, but there are a few things that will be to the interest and benefit of all of us and in my opinion we should take up some of those things that are of general interest at the earliest possible date.
One of the matters that ought to receive the consideration of this Executive Council is to see that legislation is enacted giving Indians the right to vote in every state in this union, whether they want to exercise that right to vote or not, is for the individual to
-44-