Abourezk, James G. (James George), 1931-

ABOUREZK, James George, a Representative and a Senator from South Dakota; born in Wood, Mellette County, S.Dak., February 24, 1931; attended the Wood and Mission public schools; graduated as a civil engineer from the South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, S.Dak., 1961; graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School, Vermillion, S.Dak. 1966; lawyer; admitted to the South Dakota bar in 1966 and commenced practice in Rapid City; served in the United States Navy 1948-1952; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-second Congress (January 3, 1971-January 3, 1973); was not a candidate for reelection to the United States House of Representatives in 1972, but was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from January 3, 1973, to January 3, 1979; was not a candidate for reelection in 1978; chairman, Select Committee on Indian Affairs (Ninety-fifth Congress); chairman, American Indian Policy Review Commission 1976; resumed the practice of law and began a career in writing; is a resident of Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

<p>James George Abourezk (born February 24, 1931) is an American attorney and politician who served as a United States Representative and United States Senator from South Dakota. He was the first Greek Orthodox Christian of Lebanese-Antiochite descent to serve in the United States Senate. He was generally viewed as critical of US foreign policy in the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) area, particularly regarding Palestine and Israel.</p>

<p>A Democrat, he represented South Dakota in the United States Senate from 1973 until 1979. He was the author of the Indian Child Welfare Act, passed by Congress in 1978 to try to preserve Indian families and tribal culture, by arranging for placement of Indian children in homes of their cultures, as well as to reunite them with families. It gives preference to tribal courts in custody of Indian children domiciled on reservations, and concurrent but presumptive jurisdiction in cases of children outside the reservation.</p>

<p>James George Abourezk was born in Wood, South Dakota, the son of Lena (née Mickel), a homemaker, and Charles Abourezk, an owner of two general stores. His parents were Lebanese Christians who had immigrated to the United States from the village of Kfeir. He grew up near Wood on the Rosebud Reservation and has lived in South Dakota most of his life.</p>