[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO RICHARD MILANOVICH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a 
community leader and friend of mine, Richard Milanovich. Richard was 
the longtime chairman of Riverside County's Agua Caliente Band of 
Cahuilla Indians. On Sunday, March 11, 2012, Richard passed away at the 
age of 69 with his family at his bedside at Eisenhower Medical Center 
in Rancho Mirage. He will be deeply missed.
  In 1942, Richard was born on the Soboba Reservation in the San 
Jacinto area and grew up in subsidized housing in Palm Springs. At that 
time, the tribe was almost entirely dependent on government help, 
eating out of government-issued cans. As a boy, he attended Cahuilla 
Elementary School and Palm Springs High School. After high school, he 
served honorably in the United States Army and in 1972 he returned to 
the Palm Springs area. He unsuccessfully ran for Tribal Council three 
times between 1972 and 1978. Finally, in 1978 he was elected to the 
Tribal Council and in 1984 he was elected Chairman. From 1984 to 1989, 
Chairman Milanovich helped craft groundbreaking land-use agreements 
with city of Cathedral City, city of Rancho Mirage, and Riverside 
County, modeled on an agreement struck with city of Palm Springs in the 
late 1970s, while he was a member of the Tribal Council. The 
intergovernmental deals were among the first of their kind and served 
as a model for Tribes throughout the rest of the country.
  Richard Milanovich was an early proponent of allowing California 
tribes to have gambling on tribal lands. After the successful 
negotiation of the land-use agreements with local cities, Richard moved 
forward and in 1998 the Agua Caliente tribe, along with other tribes, 
pushed and passed Proposition 5 which allowed for gambling on tribal 
lands. Although the proposition was ruled unconstitutional, the tribes 
were able to later negotiate pacts with then-Governor Gray Davis and a 
subsequent proposition passed which put the pacts in place. Richard 
would later win another battle in 2008 when the voters approved a 
casino-expansion deal.
  Richard never lost sight of the poor conditions that he grew up in 
and early on decided to become a champion for his people. He led the 
Agua Caliente tribe for nearly three decades and helped California 
tribes become self-sufficient moving many out of poverty through the 
success of the Indian casinos. Richard successfully negotiated on the 
local, state and federal level to advance the priorities of the Agua 
Caliente tribe and throughout his career he remained humble, 
compassionate, and engaging.
  Richard Milanovich changed the course of history for California and, 
most importantly, for the Indian community in California. He saw 
circumstances that disadvantaged the Indian people and set about to 
change them. Milanovich never wavered in his commitment, and despite 
all obstacles persevered for the betterment of his tribe and the entire 
Indian community in California. His leadership, vision and 
uncompromising compassion were truly an inspiration to his people and 
testimony to his character.
  On Wednesday, March 21, 2012, a memorial service celebrating Richard 
Milanovich's extraordinary life was held at the Palm Springs Convention 
Center. Milanovich will always be remembered for his incredible work 
ethic, generosity, contributions to the Indian Community and love of 
family. His dedication to his work, family, and tribe are a testament 
to a life lived well and a legacy that will continue. I extend my 
condolences to his family and friends; although Richard may be gone, 
the light and goodness he brought to the world remain and will never be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________