[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 33 (Friday, February 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E159-E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO SAM COHEN ON HIS 60TH BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. SALUD O. CARBAJAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 18, 2022

  Mr. CARBAJAL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sam Cohen on 
the occasion of his 60th birthday for his distinguished service over 
the years. Sam serves as the Legal and Government Affairs Officer of 
the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians located in my district, where he 
has supported the Tribe's leadership and members for more than

[[Page E160]]

a decade and a half. In doing so, Sam has become an exemplar of civic 
engagement throughout the Central Coast and in Washington, DC.
  Sam's path to becoming a leader in our community and throughout 
Indian country is as unique as they come.
  After graduating from the University of Arizona and University of 
Minnesota Law School, Sam began his career in the world of 
international corporate and finance law. This work took him around the 
world, including a two-year stint in Tokyo, Japan. Sam briefly returned 
to the states to pursue his LLM degree in tax at NYU before once again 
venturing off the beaten path, this time to the U.S. Territory of Guam. 
While in Guam, Sam found his calling in more ways than one. First, he 
came to understand and appreciate the vital role that economic 
development plays in providing opportunity and equity to marginalized 
communities. His four years working to support companies investing in 
Guam struck a chord, as such Sam has gone on to spend the next 25 years 
working on behalf of many communities that have historically been 
passed over and overlooked in the economic opportunities afforded to 
many other Americans over the generations.
  Sam also met his late wife, Trina, while in Guam. They were soon 
married, and together raised three children, Abraham, Keanu, and 
Rebekah, who are all now making their own way in the world.
  Shortly after leaving Guam, Sam transitioned to serving as counsel to 
Tribal governments, working in the states of Washington and Louisiana 
before moving to the Golden State.
  Sam's first role in California was to serve as General Counsel to the 
Tule River Tribe in Porterville. His efforts there, shortly after 
California voters authorized gaming for Native American tribes, were 
critical in setting the Tule River Tribe on a path to economic success.
  In 2006 Sam moved to Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara County, to take a 
position as Legal Officer for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. 
His impact was felt immediately, and he has been a trusted advisor for 
tribal leaders and members ever since.
  I first got to know Sam during my time serving as a Supervisor in 
Santa Barbara County. Like many Tribal nations in California, the 
Chumash tribe had very little land over which to assert its 
sovereignty, provide a sense of community for its members, and grow as 
a nation. Sam's personal interactions with Supervisors, staff and other 
stakeholders on fee to trust issues earned him a reputation as an 
honest broker which led to a number of successful and important Tribal 
initiatives.
  My relationship with Sam and the Chumash Tribe deepened after I made 
the transition to Congress. Sam took time to educate my staff and I on 
the significance of the federal government's trust responsibilities to 
Tribes and imprinted on me the importance of Congress fulfilling its 
constitutional obligation to engage with Tribes on a government to 
government basis. Due in part to this education, I now am a proud 
member of the Native American Caucus.
  Sam's prolific efforts on behalf of the Chumash Tribe have not only 
been an asset to me as a Representative, but also to the entire Central 
Coast region. Sam is tireless, and his expertise seems to touch upon 
virtually every topic. He serves as a member of the Internal Revenue 
Service Advisory Committee and on a subcommittee of the Treasury Tribal 
Advisory Committee, providing recommendations to the IRS on ways that 
it can better implement its laws and regulations to support Tribes, 
nonprofits, and all Americans. He is the President of the Santa Ynez 
Chamber of Commerce, President of the Econ Alliance for Northern Santa 
Barbara County, and serves on boards of the local community services 
district for wastewater and the regional transportation agency. He is 
currently guiding the Tribe's engagement with NOAA's consideration of a 
new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, and just this month Sam 
was named to an advisory committee of the Federal Communication 
Commission.
  Most importantly, Sam is an absolute joy to be around. It is always a 
pleasure to run in to Sam and his partner, Trea, at community events 
throughout the district, and when they visit Trea's daughter, Bria, 
here in Washington, DC. On this momentous occasion, I want to wish Sam 
a happy birthday and recognize his exceptional work over the years and 
his many efforts to support the Santa Ynez Chumash Tribe and the 
citizens of California's 24th Congressional District.

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