[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING RODNEY B. LEWIS ON HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER-

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                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2009

  Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to 
praise and reflect upon the career of an outstanding attorney and 
community leader, Rodney B. Lewis. I would also like to congratulate 
Rod on recently being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the 
Native American Bar Association of Arizona.
  Rod Lewis comes from a family dedicated to serving the Native 
American community in Arizona. Rod is one of three sons born to the 
late Reverend Roe B. Lewis and Sallie Lewis. He and his brothers, John 
and Robert, grew up on the Gila River Indian Reservation. All three 
attended college and graduate school and each has devoted their careers 
to the service of Indian tribes and Indian people. In fact, John is the 
Executive Director of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona.
  Rod earned his bachelor's degree from Trinity College in San Antonio, 
Texas. While in college, Rod participated in the Reserve Officers' 
Training Corps and upon graduation was commissioned as a second 
lieutenant in the Army Rangers, ultimately obtaining the rank of first 
lieutenant upon discharge from the Army. Rod earned his master's degree 
from Arizona State University in 1969 and went on to law school at the 
University of California Los Angeles. Upon graduating with his JD in 
1972, Rod returned to the Gila River Indian Community to serve as the 
tribal attorney for the Community and to raise a family. He and his 
wife Willardene have three children and five grandchildren.
  Rod has had an extraordinary legal career. He was the first Native 
American to pass the Arizona Bar Exam and be licensed to practice law 
in Arizona. He was also the first Native American lawyer to argue a 
case before the United States Supreme Court. Shortly after law school, 
Rod faced an effort by the State of Arizona to tax the sale of tractors 
to the Gila River Indian Community farms. Rod fought this effort and 
prevailed in a 5 to 4 Supreme Court decision. The Central Machinery v. 
Arizona State Tax Commission decision continues to stand as the 
definitive case recognizing the right of Indian tribes to operate 
beyond the taxing authority of states.
  Rod served as the General Counsel of the Gila River Indian Community 
for more than 30 years. For much of his tenure as General Counsel, Rod 
led the battle to secure the water rights of the Gila River Indian 
Community. Rod worked tirelessly in litigating and ultimately 
negotiating the single largest Indian water rights settlement in the 
history of the United States. This settlement resulted in the return of 
653,000 acre-feet of water to the ``River People'' of the Gila River 
Indian Community and $200 million to construct a system to deliver 
water to the reservation.
  Rod Lewis has dedicated his life to being a champion for the Gila 
River Indian Community. He is a genuine trailblazer who has broken down 
barriers and served as a role model for a new generation of Native 
American lawyers. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Rod for his 
distinguished career and outstanding leadership and thank him for being 
my friend.

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