[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 110 (Friday, June 23, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E614-E615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN MEMORY OF NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT BEN SHELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 23, 2023

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize former Navajo 
Nation President Ben Shelly, who passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 
2023, leaving his wife Mrs. Martha Shelly, five adult children, 12 
grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. The President and Mrs. 
Shelly were married for 57 years.
  President Shelly's public service spanned numerous decades and 
positions. During his 16 years on the Navajo Nation Council, he rose to 
the esteemed position of Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee. 
From 2007 to 2011, he served as Vice President of the Navajo Nation. On 
January 11, 2011, Shelly became the eighth President of the Navajo 
Nation, a position he held for four years. In fact, he was the first 
elected Vice President to ascend to President as well. President 
Shelly's service extended beyond Navajo Nation as a McKinley County 
Commissioner.
  As President, Shelly was a steadfast supporter of self-determination 
and self-sufficiency for Indian Country. He and the Navajo Nation 
worked with Congress to secure approval of the Navajo Nation General 
Leasing Act to provide the Nation with leasing authority over tribal 
land. President Shelly also fostered economic development to bring 
prosperity to Navajo communities. In President Shelly's final testimony 
to Congress, he advocated for Gallup Indian Medical Center to become a 
``trauma one'' level facility status. This would provide the highest 
level of care to our many tribal communities.
  President Shelly was born on the Arizona-New Mexico border of Tsetah 
Si'ani, Lupton, Arizona. He lived most of his life in Thoreau, New 
Mexico, in the third congressional district. He never stopped working 
to support the people of the Navajo Nation. His accomplishments and 
legacy will live on for generations to come. May we all honor President 
Ben Shelly's incredible life and his deep commitment to serving the 
beloved communities of the Navajo Nation.

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