WHEREAS,  Brenda Commander, duly elected Chief of the federally recognized Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians for 20 years, is the longest-serving Chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the longest-serving Chief east of the Mississippi River; and

WHEREAS,  during her service, Chief Commander has dramatically improved the living conditions of her tribe and its members by expanding services related to housing, economic development, child welfare and violence against women; and

WHEREAS,  by attracting funding through federal, state and local sources for important improvement projects, Chief Commander has inspired Maliseets to rise to the challenge of making a prosperous future for generations to come; and

WHEREAS,  Chief Commander has inspired men and women of all ages to follow in her footsteps, to seek out opportunities and to assert their ideas and leadership; now, therefore, be it