Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1636-E1637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO RICHARD ``RICK'' GRAHAM HILL
______
HON. GWEN MOORE
of wisconsin
in the house of representatives
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of
Richard ``Rick'' Graham Hill of Oneida, Wisconsin. Rick was born on
January 6, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, and lived a life filled with
love and compassion for both his community and nation. He was a
politician, innovator, entrepreneur and leader.
Rick descended from a family committed to public service. His
grandmother, Dr. L. Rosa Minoka Hill, was the second American Indian
woman doctor in the nation, and his mother was a registered nurse. He
began following in the footsteps of his family at a young age, often
accompanying his father to tribal meetings, which cultivated him into
the leader he eventually became.
Rick went go on to be a long-serving councilman and vice-chairman of
the Oneida Nation, and served two non-consecutive terms as the nation's
chairman. During his first term, he also served simultaneously as
chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), representing
and advocating for 168 federally-recognized tribes in the gaming
industry. Under his leadership, NIGA became a nationally-recognized
voice on Indian gaming issues, and successfully initiated the
development of national regulatory standards and policies for tribal
governmental gaming. As chairman of the Oneida Nation, Rick signed the
first gaming compact with the state of Wisconsin. Even after
retirement, Rick continued his service by forming Hill Group, LLC.
There he consulted with various stakeholders to identify economic
development projects and partnerships in Indian Country. He also formed
RGH Holdings the first ever consortium of tribes to invest in real
estate development projects outside of the reservations. Out of all his
contributions, Rick was most proud of his work serving on the board of
the Native American Rights Fund and the Public Sector Gaming Study
Commission.
His devotion and commitment to serving others has been recognized
with honors and awards including: the Eagle Visionary Award, the
Pathbreakers Award and induction into the Indian Gaming Hall of Fame.
He was also the first Indian Gaming inductee into the Gaming Hall of
Fame.
He was a loving husband, father, and tenderhearted coach to his sons
and so many others. Rick leaves to cherish his memory: his spouse, and
my dear friend, Donsia Strong Hill, as well as his children: Richard
(Desirae), Sage, Dakota, and his two grandchildren: Asher and Vine. He
is also survived by siblings: Barbara Author, Norbert, Jr. (Mary), Rosa
(Rick) Coenen; sister-in-law, Lenora Hatathlie and brother-in-law, Mike
Author; his nieces: Megan, Sarah, Maria, Nasbah (Jamison), Nanabah
(Michael), Melissa (Scott); and his nephews: DineNizhoni, Christopher
(Maria), Mark, Nabahe, Norbert III (Erin), and goddaughter, Jolene
Billie; and long-term business partner and colleague, Dawn Reiter.
Rick always credited his success to those who supported, mentored and
befriended him while working in Indian Country. I am proud to have
worked with Rick over a 30-year period and happy to have called him my
friend. I am inspired by his work to continuously help other tribes and
will work collaboratively with them to establish strong tribal
governments. Everything he's accomplished came from the heart, and the
legacy he leaves behind reflects the positive impact of his service.
Madam Speaker, it is for these reasons I rise to salute Richard
``Rick'' Graham Hill, a man who has made the State of Wisconsin and our
nation a better place.
[[Page E1637]]
____________________
