Indian Affairs Committee remembers and honors the late state Sen. John Pinto

SHIPROCK — A flag flew over the U.S. Capitol in May in memory of state Sen. John Pinto — a sheepherder and Navajo Code Talker who became one of the longest serving Native American state legislators in the United States.

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan’s field representative Brian Lee presented that flag to Pinto’s oldest daughter, Flora Dennison, on Sept. 9 during a Indian Affairs Interim Legislative Committee meeting inside a library named after Pinto located at Diné College in Shiprock.

When Pinto was born in 1924, Native Americans were not able to vote. He went on to become the longest-serving state senator in New Mexico.

During his more than 40 years as a state senator, Pinto was instrumental in forming the Indian Affairs Committee, which is now co-chaired by his granddaughter, Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi.

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In addition to the flag presentation, the Indian Affairs Committee presented both Diné College and the Pinto family with a resolution honoring Sen. John Pinto. The resolution describes Pinto as the "true definition of a public servant."

“It’s really difficult to encompass everything that he has done,” said Rep. Georgene Louis, D-Albuquerque. Louis is the co-chair of the Indian Affairs Committee.

His accomplishments in the Senate included expanding U.S. Highway 491, creating the tribal infrastructure fund, making American Indian Day a public holiday and securing funding for projects like the Navajo Nation bus route improvements and construction of senior centers and chapter houses. He also secured capital outlay funds for irrigation projects in San Juan and McKinley counties.

Pinto’s career in politics began when he was elected to the McKinley County Commission at age 46.

In 1976, he ran for the state senate and continued serving as a senator until his death earlier this year.

More:Navajo Code Talker John Pinto dies at 94, second death from group this month

"He showed others that there is a place for Native Americans in the state Legislature," Louis said.

Rep. Anthony Allison, D-Fruitland, said Pinto took him under his wing after Allison was elected. He said Pinto helped him with the capital outlay process. He said Pinto’s guidance helped him get funding for several important projects in San Juan County.

The resolution presented to the family ended by quoting Sen. John Pinto saying: "My philosophy is to be happy, to meet people, to love people — all the races because they all need help. They all need good water to drink, good food to eat, a good place to stay and they need good jobs. These are the basic needs in life."

Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 or via email at hgrover@daily-times.com.

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