IN RECOGNITION OF CHAIRMAN ALLEN E. LAWSON OF THE SAN PASQUAL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 57
(Extensions of Remarks - April 02, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF CHAIRMAN ALLEN E. LAWSON OF THE SAN PASQUAL BAND OF
MISSION INDIANS
______
HON. DUNCAN HUNTER
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition and honor of
Chairman Allen E. Lawson of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.
Chairman Lawson has served for 22 years in a leadership position for
the Tribe, headquartered in the Valley Center area of California's 50th
Congressional District, and retired from his chairmanship on January
13, 2019. During his tenure, Chairman Lawson was firmly focused on
Tribal welfare and increased prosperity for all members of the Tribe.
Under his leadership, San Pasqual's Tribal government grew from
three employees to over 100 employees, resulting in significant
increases in services to over 400 Tribal families living on the
reservation. Chairman Lawson's leadership was instrumental with the
establishment of Valley View Casino, a business that continues to
thrive, generating revenue for the entire Tribe and benefitted the
reservation by creating new Tribal Fire and Police Departments that
were dedicated to ensuring the safety of all Tribal residents. Chairman
Lawson also established one of the few fully accredited Native American
Fire Academies and, over the last 10 years, the academy has proudly
trained over 1,000 first responders that help protect both the
reservation and the surrounding community. Chairman Lawson successfully
expanded the Tribal Education Center, resulting in increased high
school graduation rates, more graduates headed to colleges, and the
preservation of the Tribe's history, traditions and culture.
During his tenure, the Tribal Public Works, Water, and Environmental
Departments were also established, and, after decades of negotiations
with four other Native American tribes, Chairman Lawson was an integral
part of the negotiation that finally settled and secured the entitled
rights to the San Luis Rey watershed. Chairman Lawson was also
instrumental in launching an Inter-Tribal Alliance in which Tribes and
Federal agencies would partner collaboratively on construction projects
thereby reducing costs, maximizing resources and providing jobs to
Native Americans.
It is for these accomplishments and many more that Chairman Lawson
should be recognized. The legacy of any leader is the impact and
significant contributions they have made to greatly influence the lives
of those around them. Chairman Lawson's guiding principle and singular
focus has been the past, current, and future generations of the San
Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and I am confident that his legacy will
never be forgotten and always appreciated.
____________________