James Abourezk Children: Meet Charles Abourezk, Nikki Pipe On Head, Paul Abourezk and Alya Abourezk

On his birthday, Democrat James Abourezk of South Dakota passed away at home in Sioux Falls at the age of 92. Abourezk, the first Arab American to hold the office of senator in the United States, was well-known for his sense of humor and support of liberal causes.

In the 1970s, he represented South Dakota for a single term in the U.S. House and Senate. Abourezk served as the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs’ first chair and was an advocate for farmers, consumers, and Native Americans.

He played a key role in creating the American Indian Policy Study Commission, which resulted in the adoption of the Indian Child Welfare Act, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and the Indian Self-Determination and Education Aid Act. Abourezk spent his last days surrounded by his wife and family.

The American Indian Movement staged a takeover at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, in 1973 to draw attention to the federal government’s mistreatment of Native American tribes. James Abourezk traveled to Wounded Knee to negotiate with the protestors who were engaged in a confrontation with federal law enforcement, along with fellow South Dakota Democrat George McGovern.

Abourezk also opposed the deregulation of the natural gas market, which led to higher prices for customers, but he was unable to stop it. He declined to run for reelection in 1978 because he disagreed with American foreign policy in the Middle East.