Senator Pinto honored on New Mexico Indian Day

Photo by Karen Francis
Council delegate Francis Redhouse shakes hands with Senator John Pinto after presenting him with a plaque of recognition on behalf of the Navajo Nation as Miss Indian New Mexico Anthnette Fern Spencer (left) and Council delegate Leonard Teller look on.

Photo by Karen Francis Council delegate Francis Redhouse shakes hands with Senator John Pinto after presenting him with a plaque of recognition on behalf of the Navajo Nation as Miss Indian New Mexico Anthnette Fern Spencer (left) and Council delegate Leonard Teller look on.

SANTA FE, N.M. — The Navajo Nation expressed its appreciation to New Mexico State Senator John Pinto for 29 years of dedicated service during an awards presentation at the New Mexico state capitol building in Santa Fe, N.M.

The presentation to Senator Pinto was part of the 2006 American Indian Day of the New Mexico State Legislature held Feb. 7. The theme this year was “Honoring Indian Children through Education and Leadership.”

Francis Redhouse, Council delegate for Teecnospos Chapter, presented a plaque on behalf of Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan (Iyanbito/Pinedale) recognizing the senator’s outstanding public service and leadership.

“A remarkable, dedicated individual – he has made District 3 what it is today,” Redhouse said.

Redhouse listed the numerous projects benefiting Navajo communities that Senator Pinto has helped to achieve, such as capital improvements and road improvements like the expansion of Highway 491 to a four-lane highway.

“He has done well for all of us,” Redhouse said.

Joining Redhouse for the presentation were Council delegate Leonard Teller, Miss Indian New Mexico 2005-06 Anthnette Fern Spencer and President Joe Shirley Jr. The senator also received a plaque of recognition from the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department and a blanket with the Navajo Nation seal.

President Shirley called Pinto a man with a big heart and added that it would be impossible to repay the senator for all he has done.

Others who were also honored during Indian Day included Governor of Laguna Pueblo Roland Johnson, Ladonna Harris from the Comanche Nation, and the new president of the National Congress of American Indians Joe Garcia, who is also governor of Ohkay Owingeh.

Governor Bill Richardson read aloud a proclamation proclaiming Feb. 7 “Governor Joe Garcia Day.”

(Karen Francis is Public Information Officer for the Navajo Nation office of the Speaker.)

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