House Engrossed

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature First Regular Session 2015

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2011

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

on the death of former Representative Dr. Lloyd L. House.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Former Representative Dr. Lloyd L. House passed away on January 2, 2015 at the age of eighty-three.

Born in Winslow, Arizona on October 24, 1931, Dr. House graduated from college in 1958 with a degree in education.  In 1971, he returned to school and earned a master's degree and a doctorate in philosophy in Higher Education and Business Administration.  He studied to be a college president and worked as Dean of Instruction for Navajo Community College (Diné College), the subject of his dissertation.

Dr. House was the first Native American to run for and be elected to the Arizona State Legislature.  He won his election in 1966, and for two years he ably served his constituents as a Representative advocating on behalf of the Navajo Nation and all American Indians.  During his short but distinguished service in the Legislature, he earned the respect and admiration of his peers on both sides of the political aisle. 

Dedicated to his country, Dr. House served in the United States Marine Corps from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean conflict.  While serving in the Marines, he won the title of Welter Weight All Service Boxing Champion.  He also served in the United States Air Force Reserves.  After retiring from military service, he was named National Deputy Chief of Staff of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on October 18, 1962 and was a commander for many years in Window Rock, Arizona.

Dr. House was a Code Talker, and he tirelessly advocated for his fellow Navajo Code Talkers throughout his lifetime.  He was instrumental in having the Navajo Code Talkers honored at the Fourth Marine Division Association's annual convention in Chicago in 1969 and in designing and creating a medal to commemorate their service to the United States in 1983.

Dr. House served as a field representative for the Social Security Administration's district office in Prescott.  In this capacity, he served the American Indian people in ninety-two different chapter houses throughout the Navajo and Hopi reservations by helping individuals in these regions apply for social security cards and benefits.  Many of those whom he assisted were widows whose husbands passed away during their service in the military. Dr. House also wrote and illustrated a Social Security Administration pamphlet for Navajos with pertinent information concerning social security and its benefits entitled "Hosteen Nez Gets a Social Security Card," which was the first federal publication to be translated into an American Indian language.

Despite the demands of his work, Dr. House gave selflessly of his time, energy and abilities to various civic and professional organizations.  He served as a consulting reference on Native American tribes, customs and cultures for the Smithsonian Institution, he was a lifetime member of both the National Congress of American Indians and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he was a member of the American Indian Educational Association and he was named Chairman of the Navajo Service Chapter of the American Red Cross in 1967.  Dr. House was also listed as an authority on Native American Tribes, Customs & Cultures by the Thomas Jefferson Forum, named Who's Who in American Politics, recognized for his outstanding service during Operation Navajo in 1967, named in Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans, Indians of Today and the Encyclopedia of American Indians, and made an honorary member of the Alabama State Militia by Alabama Governor Brewer in 1970.

In all of Dr. Lloyd L. House's endeavors, he distinguished himself as a tireless, hardworking and conscientious public servant.  His record of unwavering service to our nation, state and community is an example for all to follow.

Dedicated to his family, Dr. House is survived by his wife of 62 years, Victoria M. House of Surprise, Arizona, three daughters Josephine Obermayr of Santa Rosa, California, Electa Goldtooth of Winslow, Arizona and Margaret Lynch of Window Rock, Arizona, son Lloyd L. House, II of Orange, California, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature sincerely regret the passing of the first Native American legislator in the State of Arizona, Dr. Lloyd L. House, and extend their deepest sympathies to his family and friends.