Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Vice Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe Issues Statement About Passing of Chairman Richard M. Milanovich

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., March 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Statement by Jeff L. Grubbe, Vice Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Council:

"Today, we, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, have lost our great leader, Chairman Richard M. Milanovich. He was one of the most well respected Tribal Chairs in the entire Nation. For 28 years, under his leadership and dedication, we became one of the most respected and progressive Tribes in America.

"There was no one like Chairman Milanovich. He was a great teacher, an inspirational mentor, and most of all, a friend. We were fortunate to have his experience, wise counsel and incredible foresight for so long. Chairman Milanovich strongly believed that our younger members of the Tribe must understand the battles that were fought and won. Only through understanding our past can we forge a progressive future for our people and the generations to come.

"Chairman Milanovich was clear about cherishing the past and protecting the future. Under his leadership, our Tribe developed economically, politically and culturally, and we are now in the position to make that our own promise. We pledge to him that we will continue the course that he has so well paved. All Agua Caliente Tribal Members join me today in the mourning of our great leader, but I also know they join me in expressing our profound gratitude for what he did for all of us.

"As Vice Chairman of the Tribal Council, I will assume the responsibilities of Acting Chairman, and pledge to honor and continue to empower the people of our Tribe, with the support of the Council and the Tribal Members."

About the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is a federally-recognized Indian Tribe located in Palm Springs, Calif., with 32,000 acres of reservation lands that spread across Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and into the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains. The Tribe's developments include two Palm Springs golf courses, the Spa Resort Casino and Hotel in downtown Palm Springs, and the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, which includes the 2,000 seat concert venue, The Show. It also operates the Indian Canyons preserve, an environmental paradise open to the public.

SOURCE Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians