Post offices may be named for slain Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Agua Caliente chairman Richard Milanovich

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a pair of bills Monday to honor two respected figures in the Coachella Valley — Cpl. Hunter Lopez, a 22-year-old Marine killed in a bombing in Afghanistan last year, and former Agua Caliente tribal chairman Richard Milanovich — by naming post offices after them.

The legislation, if passed by the Senate, would designate the post office in La Quinta as the “Corporal Hunter Lopez Memorial Post Office Building." Lopez, who grew up in Indio and attended La Quinta High School, was among several Marines killed last year in a bombing determined to be coordinated by a terrorist group targeting American and Afghan allies attempting to evacuate the country by plane.

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-La Quinta, who sponsored the legislation, said Lopez was "the embodiment of service."

"With the Marine Corps, he aided the largest airlift in human history, evacuating over 120,000 of our fellow Americans and allies,” Ruiz said. “Corporal Lopez worked up until his last moment to save others. Now his story is forever entwined with our nation’s, and it is my hope that with this legislation, future generations will come to know his legacy of remarkable service, compassion and heroism.”

Under Ruiz's other bill, the post office on North Sunrise Way in Palm Springs would become the “Chairman Richard Milanovich Post Office.” Milanovich, who died in 2012 at the age of 69, was chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for nearly 30 years. He was considered a leader in local and national tribal affairs, particularly in negotiations that expanded gaming opportunities for California tribes.

“(Chairman Milanovich’s) impact spread far and wide, and he is still revered as a change maker for tribes throughout California and the entire nation," Ruiz said. “We celebrate Chairman Milanovich’s memory and legacy by naming the Palm Springs Post Office in his honor.”

Reid Milanovich, Richard's son who was elected as Agua Caliente's chairman earlier this year, said the bill "pays tribute to an important leader who made a difference not for just our tribe, but for tribes throughout the country during his three decades of service."

"This is truly a great way to commemorate his legacy," Milanovich said.

Tom Coulter covers the cities of Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. Reach him at thomas.coulter@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Agua Caliente's Richard Milanovich, Cpl. Hunter Lopez could be honored