[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 17, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ARLAN D. MELENDEZ

 Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
retirement of Arlan D. Melendez, Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian 
Colony. Arlan Melendez, who has been Chair of the Reno-Sparks Indian 
Colony for over 30 years--one of the longest-serving Tribal Chairs in 
the country--is no stranger to public service. He has spent his life 
devoted to causes bigger than himself. His service to his country, his 
State, and his people deserves to be recognized. I have had the honor 
and pleasure of working with Chairman Melendez in advancing Tribal 
priorities, and his leadership and partnership will be missed.
  Born and raised in Northern Nevada, Chairman Melendez began his 
career of service in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. 
After serving his country, Chairman Melendez took up leadership 
positions within his Tribal community. First elected to the Tribal 
Council in 1987, Melendez served as treasurer and vice-chairman before 
being elected Chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in 1991. Under 
Chairman Melendez's leadership, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has 
partnered with the State of Nevada, Washoe County, the cities of Reno 
and Sparks, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to expand the Colony's 
total land base to over 2,000 acres. In his over 30 years as Tribal 
Chairman, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony has thrived and proven to be an 
economic force in Northern Nevada. Additionally, Chairman Melendez has 
served on the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, including as president, 
helping to support the 28 Tribal communities in Nevada.
  Chairman Melendez's work has spread far beyond the Reno-Sparks Indian 
Colony and Nevada. In 2005, he was appointed to a 6-year term on the 
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights by then-Senate Minority Leader Harry 
Reid. There, he worked to further the Commission's mission to champion 
the development of national civil rights policy and enhance enforcement 
of Federal civil rights laws. Chairman Melendez has also been active in 
the National Congress of American Indians--NCAI--an organization 
dedicated to serving the broad interests of Tribal governments and 
communities across this country. At NCAI, he served as the western 
region vice president and chaired the taxation subcommittee. Chairman 
Melendez has distinguished himself as a member of the Leadership 
Council for the Center for Indian County Development at the Federal 
Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, where he contributes to strategies for 
building stronger Indian Country economies. Chairman Melendez also 
served on the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tribal 
Advisory Committee advocating for better access to healthcare for 
Tribal communities and played an important role supporting Indian 
Country through the pandemic. Additionally, the Chairman has received 
awards for his lifetime of achievements from the Native American 
Finance Officers Association and the National Indian Health Service.
  As Chairman Melendez retires, it is important that we call attention 
to his distinguished career of public service. The communities that he 
touched in Nevada and around the country are better for his leadership, 
hard work, and dedication.

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