CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 22
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30896 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 22 November 13, 2007 violence for the National Commission tions director, a Civilian Conservation ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS on the Causes and Prevention of Vio- Corps worker, a noted marble sculptor, lence, a council convened in the wake and a World War II Bronze Star win- of the assassination of Senator Robert ner—but he found his greatest purpose RECOGNIZING THE 100TH F. Kennedy. Along with Princeton soci- late in life, leading and reviving Con- BIRTHDAY OF LAS CRUCES ologist Mel Tumin, Donald wrote three necticut’s Mohegan tribe. ∑ Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today volumes of the committee’s final re- Ralph’s work on behalf of the Mohe- I celebrate the 100th birthday of Las port, clearly detailing the link between gans—who have called New England Cruces, NM. Being the second largest deteriorating urban conditions and a home for more than four centuries— city in New Mexico, Las Cruces has a swell in violent crime. was unflagging and successful at long lot to be proud of and a lot to cele- In 1970, he wrote with great insight last. When he first sought Federal rec- brate. and penetration on what it means to ognition for the tribe, the Government Before New Mexico became a State, feel the seductive draw of crime in the replied that the Mohegans had ceased Las Cruces was making its mark on the inner city, ‘‘to be young, poor, male to exist in the 1940s. That rang clearly world. When it was founded in 1907 as a and Negro, to want what the open soci- false to Ralph, who knew firsthand small railroad town, no one could have ety claims is available, but mostly to that the Mohegan identity was still foreseen what a major metropolitan others; to see illegitimate and often alive; and under his leadership, the area it would become in the southern violent methods of obtaining material tribe pushed until it was finally recog- part of my State. Being sheltered by success, and to observe others using nized in 1994. the Organ Mountains to the east, and these means successfully.’’ the Rio Grande River on the west, Las For Donald, that was no mere aca- The Mohegans were only the ninth Cruces boasts 350 days of sunshine a demic conclusion; with the Eisenhower tribe ever to be recognized on the basis year making it one of AARP’s Top 5 Foundation, he spent years working to of documentary evidence—evidence Places To Retire. The city also has put his recommendations into practice, which Ralph and other Mohegan lead- continued to receive the title of Best giving as much energy to the revital- ers were tireless in collecting. The Small Metro Area for Business Careers ization of urban America as he did to chairman of the neighboring from the Forbes/Milken Institute. his work in the law. Mashantucket Pequot tribe called his Las Cruces, English translation is His example still reminds us: An open efforts ‘‘an inspiration to native peo- ‘‘the crosses,’’ is home to the second society is justly measured by the gap ples everywhere.’’ The Mohegans hon- largest university in New Mexico, New between what it claims is available, ored Ralph by naming him chief for Mexico State University, with a stu- and what it provides—between what it life. dent population of 26,000. NMSU con- promises, and what it delivers. But Ralph was more than a cultural tinues to grow and improve upon the For his services, Donald Mulvihill guardian; he was also a shrewd busi- various programs and degrees they will be remembered as a public-spirited nessman. He understood that a pros- offer. This university is vital to the leader who combined, in equal propor- perous tribe was more likely to survive strength of Las Cruces. The Dona Ana tion, private success and civic duty. into his children’s and grandchildren’s Community College is located here as But I confess that all of those accom- generations, and beyond; and so he ne- well. Their student population is over plishments mean comparatively little gotiated to build the Mohegan Sun ca- 4,000 strong. Las Cruces also hosts the to me, next to what he did during a few sino on tribal land. nationally acclaimed annual Whole En- months in 1967. Its popularity testifies to Ralph’s chilada Festival. The festival attracts I was 23, but I can still recall as if it economic leadership, and its profits over 40,000 visitors each year. Because were yesterday the Senate’s censure pay for health care and college tuition of this annual event, Las Cruces holds hearings of my father, Senator Tom for all Mohegans. Ralph was proud of the Guinness Book of World Records Dodd. What a painful time that was for the casino’s success and spoke plainly for the world’s largest flat enchilada. my family—but it gave me strength to about the incentive it created for Mo- Las Cruces has seen a giant explosion know that sitting at my father’s side, hegans to maintain their cultural iden- in population over the last decade. through the whole ordeal, was a tal- tity: ‘‘Because Indians are making They have grown from just over 74,000 ented young lawyer named Donald money, now it’s a privilege to be one.’’ residents in 2000 to around 87,000 resi- Mulvihill. I know how thankful my fa- The casino offered the means; but the dents in 2006. And the boom in popu- ther was for Donald’s good counsel. end was always clear, and it was the lation shows no signs of stopping in the It was the rare case that Donald end to which Ralph dedicated decades near future. Small and large industries didn’t win; but still, he won my fa- of his life: bringing back a people that continue to see this budding town as a ther’s sincere and lasting gratitude. had seemed on the verge of fading great place to do business. While it is And though Tom Dodd is long gone, my away. Ralph dealt cannily with Wall hard to point to just one industry that family and I have kept his gratitude Street investors—but took more pleas- has caused the extreme growth, Las alive. ure in spending afternoons raking the Cruces continues to do what it does Now Donald is beyond our thanks. leaves from his tribe’s ancient burial best, be consistent in its offerings. To celebrate their 100th birthday, But I pledge to remember him, to keep ground. alive his good name, and to hold up his Las Cruces has planned to serve a piece example of a life well lived.∑ He was a proud product of two cul- of cake to every resident. They might tures, Indian and Western, comfortable f also make the Guinness Book of World in either, taking the best from both. (At the request of Mr. REID, the fol- Records for the largest sheet cake after ‘‘What probably happened is my fa- the celebration! The city is planning on lowing statement was ordered to be ther’s people were rowing ashore on the printed in the RECORD.) cutting this cake at the culmination of Mayflower and my mother’s people an all-day festival at the Downtown REMEMBERING CHIEF RALPH were probably on the shore throwing Mall. The festival will include live en- STURGES stones,’’ Ralph once joked. tertainment all day with various acts ∑ Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I wish to He will be remembered as an artist, a to include a mariachi band, craft fair, mark the passing of a true Connecticut businessman, and a wise chief, pre- and theatre performances at the Rio leader and a great benefactor of his siding over his tribe with a feathered Grande Theatre. people: Ralph Sturges, chief of the Mo- talking-stick in one hand and a gavel Las Cruces has so much to be proud hegan Indian tribe. Chief Sturges was in the other. The cultures he rep- of, and I congratulate them on their 88. resented in either hand—and our whole 100th birthday. May they celebrate At various times in his long life, State of Connecticut—are united in many more. Que Viva Las Cruces Ralph was a deliveryman, a public rela- honoring Chief Ralph Sturges.∑ muchos mas an˜ os!∑ VerDate Mar 15 2010 14:49 Aug 24, 2010 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR07\S13NO7.001 S13NO7 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD November 13, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 153, Pt. 22 30897 TRIBUTE TO REVEREND EDWIN and the New Haven Inter-Faith Min- RECOGNIZING JACOBY ELLSBURY ‘‘D’’ EDMONDS isterial Alliance. He was also a long- ∑ Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today, on ∑ Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, time member of the New Haven Board behalf of all Oregonians, I recognize today I pay tribute to Rev. Edwin of Education, serving as its chairman the recent accomplishments of Madras, ‘‘Doc’’ Edmonds, a retired pastor and from 1979 to 1988. Oregon’s own Jacoby Ellsbury of the civil rights leader from New Haven who Even after retiring from the church passed away Tuesday, November 6. in 1994, Mr. Edmonds remained active World Champion Boston Red Sox. Reverend Edmonds, or ‘‘Doc,’’ as his in his community. In 2000, after a As a child growing up, I followed the friends called him, was one of the meeting with single mothers who had Boston Red Sox closer than any other smartest, warmest, and most effective to defer going to school to raise their team.