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JOSEPH BURTON

Joseph Burton Sports Statistics:
High School: West Valley, class of 2009 (Hemet, CA)
Height: 6' 8"
Weight: 270 lbs
Full Basketball Scholarship: Oregon State University Beavers
Native American: Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians

Soboba tribal member Joseph Burton meets President Obama during Oregon State University basketball game

WASHINGTON D.C., Nov 29, 2009 — Soboba tribal member Joseph Burton shakes hands with President Obama just after the Oregon State Beavers beat The George Washington University team 64-57.

Mr. Burton is the son of Dondi Silvas, and he earned a full basketball scholarship with OSU after graduating from West Valley High School in 2009.

CALIE.ORG Web site reported that when President Obama got to the 6-foot, 8-inch, 270-pound Burton to shake his hand, Obama asked, “You’re the Native American, aren’t you?” Burton replied, “Yes, sir.”

Professional sports photos by Mitchell Layton licensed to CALIE.ORG.

U.S. President Barack Obama seated beside his mother in law, Marian Robinson, wife first lady Michelle Obama, daughter Sasha Obama, and daughter Malia Obama during a college basketball game at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

President Barack Obama keeps a close eye on the game as Soboba tribal member Joseph Burton is pictured in foreground playing offense.

Joe Burton shows he's got game

Game day: November 28, 2009, Washington D.C.
Oregon State University Beavers beat The George Washington University team 64-57

by DIANE A. RHODES

Sometimes I get nervous when people watch me work.

If I don't stay focused on my task of interviewing I get caught up in the self-doubt of whether my hair is out of place or if I have spinach in my teeth.

Apparently Joseph Burton, the Soboba reservation native who received a full-ride scholarship to Oregon State because of his fine basketball skills, isn't as easily fazed.

U.S. President Barack Obama seated beside his mother in law, Marian Robinson, wife first lady Michelle Obama, daughter Sasha Obama, and daughter Malia Obama during a college basketball game at George Washington University in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

At a recent game against George Washington University, President Barack Obama and the first family were seated courtside at Smith Center watching him. As a starting power forward and center, the freshman got plenty of opportunities to show the president that he's got game.

According to Burton's mom, Dondi Silvas, after defeating the D.C. team 64-57 Obama shook each player's hand and congratulated each on a well-played game.

When President Obama got to the 6'8" West Valley High graduate, Obama asked, "You're the Native American, aren't you?" Burton replied, "Yes, sir."

Oregon State Beavers coach Craig Robinson is the brother in law of the President. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Game picture, OSU Beavers v GWU.

"Joseph was surprised that (the president) stayed for the whole game," said Silvas.

She said her son is getting used to the limelight after already being acknowledged and interviewed more than once for his contribution to the Oregon State Beavers.

The team also got a White House tour while at our nation's capital. Obama's brother-in-law, Craig Robinson, is Oregon State's men's basketball coach.

I guess it pays to have friends — or in this case, relatives — in high places.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians tribal member Ernie C. Salgado reports on the California Indian Education Website that Burton is the second Soboba tribal member to meet a sitting president of the United States. Adam Castillo met with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1930s.

An active young president, Barack Obama is an avid basketball fan and player.

FIRST FAMILY — President Obama with wife and daughters.

JOE BURTON is the second Soboba tribal member to meet a sitting U.S. president

By Ernie C. Salgado, Soboba Tribal Member

Soboba Tribal member, 6 foot 8 inches Joseph Burton an All State basketball ball player graduated from West Valley High School in June 2009 and was awarded a basketball scholarship to play for Oregon State. On Friday, December 27, 2009 the Beavers, Oregon State men's basketball team, met the President of the United States, Barack Obama and were given a guided tour of the White House.

The team is in Washington D.C. for a game against George Washington. The Oregon State basketball head coach Craig Robinson is the President Obama’s brother-in-law. Photos were taken and THE INDIAN REPORTER Web site will post them as soon as we get them.

We were informed that the President would lunch with the team and their families on Saturday, December 28, 2009. Joseph’s mother, Dondi, her father and mother, Charlie and Yvonne are in Washington for the game and will be attending the luncheon. The Indian Reporter will post photos as they become available.

Joseph become the second Soboba Tribal member to meet a sitting President of the United States, Adam Castillo, Tribal Chairman for the Soboba Band of Mission Indians and President of the Mission Indian Federation was the first to meet with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.