Latest news with #BillyCypress
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Billy Cypress, longest serving Miccosukee chairman, dies
Sandra Hale SchulmanSpecial to ICT Billy Cypress, who served for more than 26 years as chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe, died on February 28 at age 74. The tribe did not confirm his cause of death, though sources said he had been battling cancer. Cypress was first elected to the Miccosukee Business Council in 1973 and served for more than a decade before his election as chairman, making him the longest serving executive of the tribe, and one of the longest serving executive officials in the Western Hemisphere. Cypress is survived by his sons, daughters, grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews. Miami Mayor Daniella Cava said in a post, 'I mourn the passing of Billy Cypress, a visionary and longtime Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe. His decades of service transformed the Tribe, expanded its reach, and strengthened advocacy for our Everglades. My deepest condolences to his family and our Miccosukee community.' During his tenure, Cypress oversaw the establishment of the tribes' gaming operations, expanding the administrative departments, and became a leading advocate for the tribe and for the Everglades. The tribe's reservation lands in Southeast Florida are mostly in swamp and sawgrass, vital sources of water filtration and wildlife. They derive much of their income from tourism and fishing licenses. The sole casino resort off the main highway hosts craft festivals. 'Many in South Florida first became aware of the tribe through his advocacy and outreach, who would be impossible to fully capture the breadth of his accomplishments and his lengthy 10-year in office,' said current Chairman Talbert Cypress in a post. Talbert Cypress is clan-related to Billy Cypress. 'The former chairman led fights in Congress and in the courts all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court,' Talbert Cypress continued. 'He took on Big Sugar's water pollution and established the first stringent pollution control standards in the Everglades, which resulted in billions of dollars in state and federal investment. He advocated tirelessly to restore historic flows and engineering flooding in the Everglades. 'He protected the right of the tribe to teach its young people in a traditional way. He brought tens of thousands of acres back into tribal control and re-established jurisdiction over areas of Everglades National Park that the tribe had been evicted from in the 1940s. He established the tribe's first embassy and built diplomatic relationships with foreign nations, which led to the issuance of Miccosukee passports that were recognized by the same. 'And all Billy Cypress's work in office set the standard for tribal self-determination and emphasized the importance of Miccosukee traditional practices as being ever more vital in today's world.' In testimony to Congress in 1997, Billy Cypress said, "We're not asking for much. Just leave us alone and we'll leave you alone. We'll protect the environment, protect water quality, assist in Everglades' restoration. Miccosukee's hope to see just one law, yours and mine, and that we're all equal under it together.' Cypress is remembered by his friends and extended family as funny, charming, and lighthearted, though he took his role seriously as an elected official. He made traditional crafts and proudly wore the detailed rick rack shirts and jackets that are distinctive to the tribe. Talbert continues that 'He always made time to talk to family, friends, and his fellow tribal members. He was a great storyteller with an excellent memory, who loved to teach and share. He loved the tribe and all that it stands for, and his focus was always on the well-being of the tribal community as a whole. I worked with Chairman Billy Cypress on the business council for four years as the tribal secretary. He always recognized the honor it was to serve as chairman for our people, and he carried himself with a men's pride. When I was elected to serve as chairman in 2021, he was nothing but gracious and supportive. Whenever I saw him or spoke to him, I always made sure to refer to him as chairman. There are few who understand the responsibility of the seat, but only he served for almost 30 years. Chairman Billy Cypress, thank you for your humor, your dedication, and your service.' Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Billy Cypress, longest-serving Chairman and leader of Miccosukee Tribe, dies at 74
Billy Cypress, who was the longest-serving Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, has died. He spent decades advocating for tribal sovereignty and environmental protection of their land. Cypress was first elected to the Miccosukee Business Council in 1973, serving for over a decade before being elected Chairman. He held the office for over 26 years. The Miccosukee Tribe announced that Billy Cypress died on Feb. 28 at age 74. Current Chairman Talbert Cypress, who previously served as Tribal Secretary alongside him, in a statement said: 'He always recognized the honor it was to serve as Chairman for our people and carried himself with immense pride. There are few who understand the responsibility of this seat, but only he served for almost 30 years. Chairman Billy Cypress: Thank you for your humor, your dedication, and your service.' The Miccosukee Tribe's statement highlighted his life-long commitment and dedication to the Tribe. According to the Tribe, under Cypress's leadership, the Tribe led significant legal and political battles, including fights in Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a fierce opponent of Big Sugar's water pollution, championing stringent pollution-control standards in the Everglades that secured billions in state and federal investment. His advocacy played a key role in restoring historic water flows and ending engineered flooding in the region. 'I mourn the passing of Billy Cypress, a visionary and longtime Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe,' said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in a statement. 'His decades of service transformed the Tribe, expanded its reach, and strengthened advocacy for our Everglades.' Senator Rick Scott also expressed condolences calling Cypress a 'good friend' who will be 'greatly missed. Cypress also fought for the preservation of Miccosukee culture and education, ensuring that the Tribe maintained the right to teach its young people traditionally. He brought thousands of acres back into tribal control and reestablished jurisdiction over areas of the Everglades National Park from which the Tribe had been displaced in the 1940s. His diplomatic efforts led to the establishment of the Miccosukee Tribe's first embassy and the recognition of Miccosukee passports by foreign nations, setting a precedent for tribal sovereignty on an international stage. The Tribe shared a testimony from Cypress before Congress in 1997, Cypress said: 'We're not asking for much. Just leave us alone and we'll leave you alone. We'll protect the environment, protect water quality, assist in Everglades restoration... Miccosukees hope to see just one law — yours and mine — and that we're all equal under it together.' 'As the Tribe's longest-serving executive, his leadership left a lasting impact on South Central Florida,' said Congressman Scott Franklin in a statement. During his tenure, Cypress played a pivotal role in establishing the Tribe's gaming operations and strengthening its administrative departments. Cypress also faced legal challenges, including a high-profile dispute with the federal government over taxation of the Miccosukee Tribe's casino profits. In 2009, he lost his position as chairman but regained the chairmanship in a 2016 special election, where he took a strong stand against federal taxation policies affecting the Tribe. 'The former Chairman is remembered by his friends and family as funny, charming, and lighthearted, despite taking his role seriously as an elected official,' the Tribe said in a statement. 'He always made time to talk to family, friends, and his fellow Tribal members.
