[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN MEMORY OF PAULINE MURILLO, ELDER OF THE SAN MANUEL BAND OF SERRANO 
                            MISSION INDIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 26, 2011

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would ask my colleagues to 
join me in praising the life of Pauline Murillo, who was a wonderful 
lady, a strong leader for the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission 
Indians, and one of the most important chroniclers and teachers of 
Indian history in Southern California. Mrs. Murillo passed away Jan. 
21, 2011.
  Pauline Chacon was born in 1934 on the San Manuel Reservation, which 
is in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern 
California. When Pauline was a young child, the reservation was tucked 
away from any nearby towns, and was little known to the residents of 
San Bernardino County.
  But from an early age, Pauline became involved with an effort to 
reach beyond the boundaries of the reservation to help area 
schoolchildren learn the history and culture of the San Manuel tribe. 
Pauline and her mother, Tribal Spokeswoman Martha Manuel Chacon, 
visited schools to share factual accounts of tribal history, culture 
and language.
  Pauline would carry this work forward as a tribal culture bearer, 
native speaker, author and presenter dedicated to a principal, ``To 
never forget who you are or where you came from.'' Today she is 
regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and influential resources on 
Southern California Indian history and culture.
  She married George Murillo in 1952, and together they have three 
children, eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
  Mrs. Murillo wrote two books about her life and San Manuel culture 
and traditions, ``Living in Two Worlds'' and ``We Are Still Here Alive 
and in Spirit.'' Both contained hundreds of rare photographs. She was 
instrumental in the creation of an interactive CD-ROM for the Serrano-
language and made traditional Indian cradle dolls and other crafts.
  Pauline and George are well known for their philanthropy, donating 
time and funds to hospitals, schools and non-profits to benefit the 
greater community. In 2009 the Murillos donated $900,000 to Cal State 
San Bernardino to construct an observatory, which was named for the 
family. In 2008 the family's contribution to Loma Linda University 
Medical Center allowed the hospital to expand its lounge for oncology 
patients and their families and was rededicated to the family.
  While Pauline Murillo was leading the San Manuel tribe in reaching 
out to the greater community, the cities of San Bernardino and Highland 
have grown to surround the reservation's borders. Although the 
reservation was once impoverished, tribal members have found success 
with the opening of casinos--and have become one of the top local 
employers in the process. As a highly-respected tribal elder, Pauline 
Murillo has ensured that the tribe remains a strong presence throughout 
the community. She was a member of the Highland Senior Center, the 
Highland Women's Club and the ``Red Hat Ladies'' service group.
  Mr. Speaker, Pauline Murillo was beloved throughout our region--her 
nickname of Dimples tells much about her always-smiling presence. She 
was a treasured resource for Native American culture, identity and 
tradition. She spent hours with high school students and faculty 
telling of the language and history of the Serrano people. We will all 
miss her greatly. I ask you and my colleagues to join me in extending 
condolences to her loving family and friends, and to express our 
appreciation for the lifetime of service to her community.

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