[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5319]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO MARTHA MANUEL CHACON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 11, 2000

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your 
attention the recent passing of Martha Manuel Chacon, and elder and 
tribal leader of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, who helped the 
tribe maintain its pride and traditions and simultaneously setting it 
on a course of future self-reliance. Mrs. Chacon passed away on March 
28 at the age of 89.
  Martha Manuel Chacon was born in a two-room adobe house without 
floors and was raised on the San Manuel Reservation in Highland, 
California. She was the granddaughter of Santos Manuel, the Serrano 
Indian leader who was responsible for holding the tribe together during 
difficult times in 1866, and for whom the reservation was named.
  After attending Highland Elementary School and St. Boniface Catholic 
School on the Morongo Indian Reservation, Martha Manuel worked in any 
job she could find as a young adult, commuting weekly to Los Angeles 
when she couldn't find them locally.
  She became a tribal leader and regularly traveled to the state 
capital in Sacramento as a spokesman for the San Manuel Band. Tribal 
members give her credit for bringing electricity to the reservation in 
the last 1950s and running water to tribal homes in the 1960s. Her 
strong devotion to her Serrano ancestry, culture and heritage helped 
the San Manuel Band improve its quality of life and set out on the path 
to self-reliance.
  Martha Manuel Chacon is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, 
Raoul Chacon, six children, 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren 
and four great great grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, words do not begin to convey the love and admiration 
with which Martha Manuel Chacon was held by her family, friends, and 
supporters. Her life journey stands as a remarkable testament to 
leadership, courage, strength and honesty and her memory will continue 
to inspire countless people. It is only appropriate that the House pay 
tribute to this courageous woman today.

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