[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 126 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING MR. NED NORRIS, JR. ON HIS CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE TOHONO 
                            O'ODHAM NATION.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2007

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to take the opportunity to 
honor the new Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation.
  An exceptional citizen of my community and the Tohono O'odham Nation, 
Chairman Ned Norris, Jr., is from the remote village of Fresnal Canyon, 
in the Baboquivari District. He was elected to a 4-year term as the 
Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation earlier this spring.
  Chairman Norris is in his 32nd year of serving the Tohono O'odham 
Nation. In May of 2003, he was elected to serve as Vice Chairman of the 
Tohono O'odham Nation. Both before and after holding the position of 
Vice Chairman, he worked with the Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise. 
Chairman Norris served as Assistant Director of Marketing and Public 
Relations, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Casino Manager and 
Director of Community Relations. The Enterprise operates both Desert 
Diamond Casino locations in Tucson and Golden Ha:san Casino near Why, 
Arizona.
  His service to his Tribe has been ongoing. In addition to holding the 
position of Chairman and Vice Chairman, he has also served as the 
Assistant Director of the Tribe's Children's Home; Court Advocate; 
Children's Court Judge; Court of Appeals Judge; Indian Child Welfare 
Specialist; Assistant Director of Tribal Social Services and Director 
of Tribal Government Operations. On February 1, 1993 Chairman Norris 
completed a 6 year Tohono O'odham Legislative Council appointment as 
(non-attorney) tribal Judge, the last 3 of those years as Chief Judge 
for the Judicial Branch.
  Chairman Norris is also very involved in the surrounding community of 
Tucson, AZ. He is currently a board member of the Chicanos Por La 
Causa, Tucson Urban League, American Indian Association, Inc., and the 
University of Arizona--Arthritis Center Advisory Board; Tucson 
Metropolitan Education Commission; KUAT Communications Group-Advisory 
Board; and the Tucson Airport Authority-Advisory Board. Additionally he 
is a former board member of the Sunnyside Unified School District 
Governing Board; and a former Commissioner for the Tohono O'odham 
Nation's Tribal Employment Rights Office.
  I would also like to acknowledge Isidro B. Lopez, as the new vice-
chair of the Tohono O'odham Nation. His leadership and experience will 
serve Chairman Norris and the Nation well.
  I would like to offer my congratulations to Ned Norris for his over 
three decades of service to his Nation and the people of Pima County 
and southern Arizona.

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