The U.S. Post Office on Sunrise Way in Palm Springs has been renamed in honor of the late Richard M. Milanovich, who served as the tribal chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians from 1984 to 2012.

The post office held a ceremony on Thursday to debut the honor. Current Tribal Chairman Reid Milanovich, Richard's son, was in attendance, as well as U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz.

Richard Milanovich oversaw and championed gaming on tribal land, fighting for tribal gaming rights in the 1990s and 2000s. The casinos in the greater Palm Springs area were developed during his time as chairman.

In 2012, former state Senator Jim Battin called Richard one of the most influential Indian leaders in the country.

Milanovich died in 2012 at the age of 69 after a long battle with cancer.