John 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.