[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 2, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF CHAIRMAN ALLEN E. LAWSON OF THE SAN PASQUAL BAND OF 
                            MISSION INDIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 2, 2019

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition and honor of 
Chairman Allen E. Lawson of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians. 
Chairman Lawson has served for 22 years in a leadership position for 
the Tribe, headquartered in the Valley Center area of California's 50th 
Congressional District, and retired from his chairmanship on January 
13, 2019. During his tenure, Chairman Lawson was firmly focused on 
Tribal welfare and increased prosperity for all members of the Tribe.
   Under his leadership, San Pasqual's Tribal government grew from 
three employees to over 100 employees, resulting in significant 
increases in services to over 400 Tribal families living on the 
reservation. Chairman Lawson's leadership was instrumental with the 
establishment of Valley View Casino, a business that continues to 
thrive, generating revenue for the entire Tribe and benefitted the 
reservation by creating new Tribal Fire and Police Departments that 
were dedicated to ensuring the safety of all Tribal residents. Chairman 
Lawson also established one of the few fully accredited Native American 
Fire Academies and, over the last 10 years, the academy has proudly 
trained over 1,000 first responders that help protect both the 
reservation and the surrounding community. Chairman Lawson successfully 
expanded the Tribal Education Center, resulting in increased high 
school graduation rates, more graduates headed to colleges, and the 
preservation of the Tribe's history, traditions and culture.
   During his tenure, the Tribal Public Works, Water, and Environmental 
Departments were also established, and, after decades of negotiations 
with four other Native American tribes, Chairman Lawson was an integral 
part of the negotiation that finally settled and secured the entitled 
rights to the San Luis Rey watershed. Chairman Lawson was also 
instrumental in launching an Inter-Tribal Alliance in which Tribes and 
Federal agencies would partner collaboratively on construction projects 
thereby reducing costs, maximizing resources and providing jobs to 
Native Americans.
   It is for these accomplishments and many more that Chairman Lawson 
should be recognized. The legacy of any leader is the impact and 
significant contributions they have made to greatly influence the lives 
of those around them. Chairman Lawson's guiding principle and singular 
focus has been the past, current, and future generations of the San 
Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and I am confident that his legacy will 
never be forgotten and always appreciated.

                          ____________________