Resolution passed honoring former Rep. Lloyd House

House was first Native American legislator in Arizona

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Arizona State Legislature today passed House Concurrent Resolution 2011 honoring former Representative Dr. Lloyd L. House, who died on January 2^nd. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Carlyle Begay and Representative Paul Boyer.

About Representative Lloyd House

In 1966, Dr. House became the first Native American elected to the Legislature, representing the Navajo Nation and all American Indians. His election came just one year after the Federal Voting Rights Act was passed, which prohibited racial discrimination with regard to voting and elections, allowing minorities to assert their power and their right to vote for the people they felt would best represent their interests.

During the Korean conflict, Rep. House served as a Code Talker with the U.S. Marines and tirelessly advocated for his fellow Code Talkers throughout his life. After serving in the Legislature, Rep. House earned his doctorate in Higher Education and Business Administration, becoming dean of instruction for Navajo Community College (Diné College).

The full resolution can be found here: HCR2011

Sen. Begay

Senator Carlyle Begay:

“Dr. House was a leader for our state and for the Navajo people. In the true spirit of Arizona, he served his country and his community through military service, as a legislator and as an educator. His election to the Arizona Legislature was historic because it broke barriers and opened doors for generations to come,” said Sen. Begay.

“I can say with all my heart that I and the rest of the Native American Caucus are indebted to this man who took a chance to represent his people and won. I am privileged to have known Dr. House as a family mentor, to carry on his tradition of representing the tribes of Arizona at the Legislature, and I proudly honor his legacy with this resolution.”

Representative Paul Boyer:

Rep. Boyer

“Lloyd House was one heck of a public servant, bridging racial barriers and serving and bettering our communities,” said Rep. Boyer. “It was an honor to recognize his legacy today at the Legislature.”

Margaret Lynch, daughter of Dr. House:

“How incredible it must have been for him to stand on the House floor in 1966 and be the first Native American in the Legislature,” said Ms. Lynch. “Looking back we can see how ground breaking it must have been for that era, though I’m not sure at the time he realized the impact he would have for generations to come.”