[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        TRIBUTE TO MAURICE LYONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2013

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to a 
dear friend of mine, Chairman Maurice Lyons. Maurice passed away on 
Wednesday, October 16, 2013. A long time resident of Riverside County, 
he was a pillar of the community and he will be deeply missed.
  Maurice was born January 21, 1950, in Riverside County as one of nine 
children and raised a Morongo Tribal Member. He grew up on the Morongo 
Indian Reservation where he would later attend Banning High School. 
Maurice quickly became involved in the betterment of the Morongo Indian 
Reservation following his completion of school when he gained a job as 
a machine operator with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he would 
remain a dedicated employee for over seventeen years.
  Maurice's investment back into his community did not stop with his 
work, as he also became actively involved in public service beginning 
in 1994. Maurice served as Tribal Housing Commissioner, Chairman of the 
Morongo Head Start Parent Policy Committee, and Chairman of the Board 
of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. He was elected Tribal 
Chairman in July 2001 and faith in his leadership remained for years to 
come as he was reelected as Chairman in 2003, and again in 2005.
  He worked closely with state and federal legislators on Native 
American and Morongo tribe related issues affecting government and 
economic development. Through his leadership, he made it a priority to 
improve the quality of life on the reservation through a betterment of 
youth programs created to preserve local Indian culture and customs. 
With a deep commitment to his history and heritage, Maurice kept the 
Morongo culture alive by encouraging education of youth in language and 
tradition.
  Maurice quickly became a voice for Riverside County. He served on the 
Riverside National Cemetery's governing board and was instrumental in 
establishing the MIA-POW monument which has become a fixture in the 
community. He represented the Morongo tribe with the National Indian 
Gaming Association, which hosts 70 member states, and with the Tribal 
Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, a regional federation of 13 
tribal governments. He was honored by the Council of Energy Resource 
Tribes for his national leadership in preserving tribal sovereignty.
  Maurice was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-
grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Lyons; children, Tammie 
Lynn Lyons, Ernest Lewis Lyons, Melissa Renee Lyons, Maurice William 
Lyons, Joseph Rafael Lyons, Onoalyse Onjaleeen Lyons, Joshua Nicholas 
Bau Lyons, Isabella Ryanne Lyons, Kyle Munson, Andre Petkov, Angel 
Raelyna Gonzales, Erika Gonzales; 13 grandchildren; and two great-
grandchildren. On Saturday, October 19, 2013, a Memorial Service 
honoring Maurice's extraordinary life was held at the Morongo 
Reservation Community Center.
  Maurice will always be remembered for his devotion to family, caring 
nature and selfless giving. He demonstrated an incredible work ethic, 
generosity, contributions to the community and love of family, and I 
can personally attest to Maurice's professionalism and positive 
attitude. These achievements and qualities are a testament to a life 
lived well and a legacy that will continue. I extend my condolences to 
Maurice's family and friends. Although Maurice may be gone, the light 
and goodness he brought to the world remain and will never be 
forgotten.

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