Tuesday, January 28th
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE AGENDA ____________ TUESDAY, JANUARY 28: CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS 628 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND BOXED LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.
HILL MEETINGS ON YOUR OWN 2:00 P.M. – 5 P.M. TRIBAL LEADERS’ RECEPTION RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING ROOM B-338 5:30P.M. – 7:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29: CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING, GOLD ROOM ROOM 2168 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST WILL BE PROVIDED.
HILL MEETINGS ON YOUR OWN 12:00 P.M. – 5 P.M.
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WELCOME
WELCOME
Defending Tribal Sovereignty means we can ensure the future of Indian gaming and the right of Tribes to determine their own economic destiny. We are all indebted to past NIGA leaders such as my friend, the late Tim Wapato, who set the standard for defending Tribal Sovereignty and protecting Indian gaming. Government policies, from Washington D.C. to state capitals, continually present unique challenges to Indian Country and continue to shape the future of Tribal Sovereignty. Taking our direction from Tribal Leaders, I am proud to report that we are continuing to stand up to the challenges confronting Indian country and the Indian gaming industry as a whole. Enjoy the 2014 Winter Legislative Summit.
Ernest L. Stevens Jr. Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association
ABOUT NIGA
WHO WE ARE The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), established in 1985, is a non-profit organization of 184 Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around the country. The common commitment and purpose of NIGA is to advance the lives of Indian peoples economically, socially and politically. NIGA operates as a clearinghouse and educational, legislative and public policy resource for tribes, policymakers and the public on Indian gaming issues and tribal community development.
OUR MISSION The mission of NIGA is to protect and preserve the general welfare of tribes striving for self-sufficiency through gaming enterprises in Indian Country. To fulfill its mission, NIGA works with the Federal government and Congress to develop sound policies and practices and to provide technical assistance and advocacy on gaming-related issues. In addition, NIGA seeks to maintain and protect Indian sovereign governmental authority in Indian Country.
LOCATION National Indian Gaming Association 224 Second Street SE Washington, DC 20003
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NIGA LEADERSHIP & STAFF CHAIRMAN ERNEST L. STEVENS JR. ONEIDA NATION OF WISCONSIN 224 SECOND STREET, SE WASHINGTON, DC 20003 (920) 869-4413 FAX: (920) 869-4371 VICE-CHAIRMAN KEVIN LEECY CHAIRMAN BOIS FORTE BAND OF CHIPPEWA PO BOX 16 TOWER, MN 55772 (218) 757-3261 KEVIN.LEECY@BOISFORTENSN.GOV TREASURER MARK FOX THREE AFFILIATED TRIBES 404 FRONTAGE ROAD NEW TOWN, ND 58763 701-627-4781 FAX: 701-627-3503 SECRETARY BERNADINE BURNETTE, FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAIAPACHE TRIBE P.O. BOX 17779 FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ 85269 480 789 7000 ALASKA DELEGATE ANDY EBONA DOUGLAS VILLAGE P.O. BOX 240826 DOUGLAS, AK 99824 (907) 364-2901FAX: (907) 586-3301 AEBONA@GMAIL.COM NORTHWEST DELEGATE DAVID Z. BEAN PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS 3009 EAST PORTLAND AVENUE TACOMA, WA 98404 253-370-6935 DAVID.BEAN@PUYALLUPTRIBE. COM PACIFIC DELEGATE MARK MACARRO 951-533-7000 MACARRO@PECHANGA-NSN. GOV ROCKY MOUNTAIN DELEGATE JENNI S. WILDCAT NORTHERN ARAPAHO GAMING AGENCY PO BOX 1760 RIVERTON, WY 82501 307-438-3719 FAX: 307-8563804 JWILDCAT@ WINDRIVERCASINO.COM
WESTERN DELEGATE LOUIS MANUEL JR., CHAIRMAN AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY 42507 WEST PETERS & NALL RD. MARICOPA, AZ 85138 (520) 568-1000 LMANUEL@AK-CHIN.NSN.US SOUTHWEST DELEGATE CHARLES PONCHO PUEBLO OF LAGUNA (505) 552-6654 PONCHOC@LAGUNAPUEBLONSN.GOV GREAT PLAINS DELEGATE CHARLIE MURPHY STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE P.O. BOX D FORT YATES, ND 58538 (701) 854-8505 FAX: (701) 854-8595 CWMURPHY@STANDINGROCK. ORG SOUTHERN PLAINS DELEGATE CARRIE O’TOOLE PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI 16281 Q RD. MAYETTA, KS 66509 OFFICE (785) 966-4048 CELL (785) 845-0111 CARRIEO@PBPNATION.ORG EASTERN OKLAHOMA DELEGATE MATTHEW MORGAN CHICKASAW NATION P.O. BOX 1548 ADA, OK 74821 (580) 436-7280 MATHEW.MORGAN@ CHICKASAW.NET MIDWEST DELEGATE BRANDON STEVENS ONEIDA TRIBE OF WISCONSIN P.O. BOX 365 ONEIDA WI 54155 (920) 619-3177 BSTEVENS@ONEIDANATION. ORG EASTERN DELEGATE EDDIE TULLIS POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS 5811 JACK SPRINGS ROAD ATMORE, AL 36502 (257) 368-9136 ETULLIS@PCI-NSN.GOV
AT-LARGE KURT LUGER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREAT PLAINS INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION PO BOX 1983 BISMARCK, ND 58502-1983 (701) 255-9275 FAX: (701) 255-9281 KURT BLUEDOG SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX 5001 AMERICAN BLVD. WEST, SUITE 500 BLOOMINGTON, MN 55437 (952) 893-1813 FAX: (952) 893-0650 GREG ABRAHAMSON CHAIRMAN SPOKANE TRIBE PO BOX 100 6195 FOND WELLPINIT RD. WELLPINIT, WA 99040 (509) 458-6507 FAX: (509) 458-6553 STEPHEN LEWIS LT. GOV. GILA RIVER TRIBE P.O. BOX 97 SACAGON, AZ (520) 562-9845 ASSOCIATE MEMBER DELEGATE (NON-VOTING) ROCHANNE HACKETT WELLS FARGO MANAGING DIRECTOR NATIONAL GAMING DEVELOPMENT KARI MCKORMICK KITCHELL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, NATIVE AMERICAN MARKET _____________ EXECUTIVE STAFF JASON GILES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JGILES@INDIANGAMING.ORG DANIELLE HER MANY HORSES DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DHERMANYHORSES@ INDIANGAMING.ORG RICHARD FRIAS LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR RFRIAS@INDIANGAMING.ORG MARK VAN NORMAN SENIOR ADVISOR
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CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS SENATOR MARK BEGICH (D-AK) Committees: Indian Affairs; Appropriations; Commerce, Science & Transportation; Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs; Veterans’ Affairs Senator Mark Begich is in his fifth year representing Alaska in the U.S. Senate, where his primary focus is building a strong Alaska economy. He was recently named to the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, where he will have a handson role in needed spending cuts while ensuring Alaska’s interests are not forgotten. He was also named to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee for the 113th Congress, which is another key posting with jurisdiction over the intersection between the federal government and America’s indigenous people. Alaska priorities like subsistence rights, full funding of the Indian Health Service and reimbursement for contract support costs will be key priorities. Senator Begich is married to Deborah Bonito, a successful businesswoman. They have a young son, Jacob. CONGRESSMAN DAN BENISHEK (R-1ST MI) Committees: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Veteran Affairs Congressional Native American Caucus Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs; Health; Conservation, Energy, and Forestry; Energy and Mineral Resources; General Farm Commodities and Risk Management; Oversight and Investigations Dan Benishek was born in Iron River, Michigan. His father worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps and then in the iron mines of Iron County. He graduated from West Iron County High School in 1970. Dan went on to earn a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan in 1974 and graduated from Wayne State Medical School in 1978. Dan completed a Family Practice internship in Flint at St Joseph’s Hospital. He completed his General Surgery residency back at Wayne State in Detroit. He has served as a general surgeon in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in a private practice since 1983. He has worked part-time at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain for the past twenty years. Dan and his wife, Judy, currently live in Crystal Falls. They have five children and three grandchildren. CONGRESSMAN KEN CALVERT (R-42ND CA) Committees: Appropriations; Budget Congressional Native American Caucus Subcommittees: Defense; Interior and the Environment; Energy & Water Development Ken Calvert is a lifelong resident of Riverside County and a 17-year small business owner in the restaurant and real estate industries. Rep. Calvert was first elected to the House in 1992 and was part of the historic
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“Contract with America” class in 1994 that swept the House to Republican control for the first time in 40 years. Rep. Calvert has been the California Republican Delegation’s voice on the House Steering Committee, which determines House Republican committee assignments, since 2003. SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL (D-WA) Committees: Indian Affairs (Chair); Commerce, Science & Transportation; Energy & Natural Resources; Finance; Small Business & Entrepreneurship Maria Cantwell was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000 and again in 2006. Maria has protected countless jobs in Washington’s aerospace industry by cracking down on foreign companies’ unfair trade practices and has worked to create still more well-paying jobs through effective investments in new technology and valuable job training. Maria successfully led the fight to stop drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and is leading efforts in the Senate to make America more energy independent. She has been a proud advocate for better educational opportunities for our children and less expensive, more accessible health care for our families. Maria continues to build new growth and strong partnerships, insisting on responsibility and making life more affordable for all of Washington’s families. CONGRESSMAN TONY CÁRDENAS (D-29TH CA) Committees: Budget; Natural Resources; Oversight & Government Reform Congressional Native American Caucus Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs, Energy and Mineral Resources; Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements; Water and Power Tony Cardenas was elected to the State Assembly in 1996, was sworn into office as the first Latino representing the San Fernando Valley in California’s legislature. As a Los Angeles City Councilmember, earning national acclaim for his groundbreaking gang prevention strategies. As the first Latino to represent the San Fernando Valley in Congress, Cardenas approaches difficult problems with the heart of a family man who learned to build consensus growing up as one of eleven brothers and sisters. Cardenas lives and breathes the middle-class values of the communities he represents. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Cardenas returned to the San Fernando Valley where he still resides with his wife, Norma, and their children. CONGRESSMAN TOM COLE (R-4TH OK) Committees: Appropriations; Budget; Rules Congressional Native American Caucus (Co-Chairman) Tribal Affiliation: Chickasaw Nation
Tribes located within district: Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Comanche Nation Legislation: Native American Apology Act
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CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS Currently serving in his sixth term, Tom Cole was elected to Congress in 2002. Cole is a leader on issues dealing with Native Americans and tribal governments. Since 2009, Cole has served on the House Appropriations Committee and has been assigned to the Subcommittees on Defense, Foreign Operations, and Interior. At the beginning of the 112th Congress he was appointed to the House Budget Committee. Previously, he served on the Armed Services Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Rules Committee, Education and Workforce Committee, and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. In addition, Congressman Cole serves as a Deputy Whip for the Republican Conference and is a member of the Republican Steering Committee. Tom Cole is a fifth generation Oklahoman and an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation. He was awarded the Congressional Leadership award by the National Congress of American Indians in 2007 and was inducted in the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2004. CONGRESSMAN STEVE DAINES (R-AT LARGE MT) Committees: Homeland Security; Natural Resources; Transportation & Infrastructure Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs; Aviation; Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies; Energy and Mineral Resources; Highways and Transit; Public Lands and Environmental Regulation; Water Resources and Environment; Oversight and Management Efficiency Congressman Daines serves on the House Committees on Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Homeland Security and is leading efforts to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, working to balance the nation’s budget, and fighting to protect Montanans’ Second Amendment rights. Steve has been active in politics much of his life. He attended the 1984 GOP National Convention in Dallas as one of the youngest delegates for President Ronald Reagan. Steve was also the founder of Giveitback.com, a non-profit organization formed to advocate for the return of Montana’s one billion dollar surplus to taxpayers. In 2007, Governor Mike Huckabee asked Steve to serve as the Montana chairman for his Presidential campaign. In 2008, Steve was Montana’s GOP nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Steve and his wife Cindy have been married 25 years, and have four children. Steve has served in numerous community volunteer capacities as a Rotarian and in Prospera, a local economic development non-profit. They are members of Springhill Presbyterian Church in Bozeman. CONGRESSWOMAN SUZAN DELBENE (D-1ST WA) Committees: Agriculture; Judiciary Congressional Native American Caucus Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is an experienced and successful technology entrepreneur and business leader with over 20 years of experience in the private sector. She served as a volunteer supporting the YWCA’s program to provide transitional housing and job training for struggling women and families. Suzan was a senior advisor to Global Partnerships, a non-profit focused
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on supporting microfinance programs to serve people living in poverty in Latin America. In 2010, Suzan was appointed by Governor Gregoire to be the Director of the Washington State Department of Revenue. She also enacted an innovative tax amnesty program that generated $345 million to help close the state’s budget gap, while easing the burden on small businesses. She knows what is needed now to ensure that our nation and this region lead in creating high-wage 21st century jobs—great educational opportunities for our children and ongoing training for adults; a financial system that is fair, strong, and transparent; incentives that foster research, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and a health care system that works for everyone. CONGRESSMAN JEFF DENHAM (R-10TH CA) Committees: Agriculture; Transportation &Infrastructure; Veterans’ Affairs Congressional Native American Caucus Congressman Jeff Denham was first elected to Congress in 2010, and is currently serving a second term in the 113th Congress. Rep. Denham’s public service career began with the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 16 years between active duty and reserve status. He fought in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope in Iraq and Somalia, respectively. In his work as a California State Senator from 2002-2010, Rep. Denham focused on balancing run-away spending in California and protecting taxpayer dollars from wasteful state projects. He was a proven and courageous leader in the California Senate, where he gained renown for his refusal to vote on irresponsible budget proposals. First and foremost, Rep. Denham is a family man. Jeff and Sonia Denham have been married for 19 years, and they have two children, Austin, 17, and Samantha, 15. CONGRESSMAN SEAN DUFFY (R-7TH WI) Committees: House Financial Services; Budget; Joint Economic Congressman Sean Duffy was born and raised in Hayward, Wisconsin. As District Attorney of Ashland County, Congressman Duffy was recognized as an aggressive prosecutor with a trial success rate over 90%. He is most proud of his dedication to prosecuting child sex crimes. Working together with law enforcement, Congressman Duffy helped make Ashland County one of the first counties in the state to investigate and prosecute child Internet sex crimes. Congressman Duffy met his wife Rachel CamposDuffy, an Arizona native, through the MTV show, “The Real World,” Together, they are the proud parents of six children. Congressman Duffy works on the House Financial Services, House Budget, and Joint Economic Committees to bring stability and security to our financial markets and create an environment that helps create more jobs and empowers American workers and entrepreneurs.
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CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS CONGRESSMAN PAUL ANTHONY GOSAR, DDS (R-4TH AZ) Committees: Natural Resources; Oversight & Government Reform Congressional Native American Caucus Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs; Energy and Mineral Resources; Water and Power; Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs; Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements; National Security Congressman Paul A. Gosar, DDS hails from Prescott, Arizona and is serving his second term in Congress. Before being elected to Congress in 2010, Gosar owned his own dental practice in Flagstaff for twentyfive years. His experience in Dentistry earned him the recognition of the Arizona Dental Association’s “Dentist of the Year,” and he was also inducted into the Arizona Dental Association’s Hall of Fame. His experience in working to reform health care first came when he served as the President of the Arizona Dental Association and as the Vice-Chair of the American Dental Association Council on Governmental Affairs. CONGRESSMAN RAÚL M. GRIJALVA (D-3RD AZ) Committees: Education & the Workforce; Natural Resources Congressional Native American Caucus (Vice Chair) Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs; Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education; Health, Empoyment, Labor and Pensions; Energy and Mineral Resources; Public Lands and Environmental Regulation (Ranking Member) Representative Raúl M. Grijalva is in his sixth term as a Member of Congress. As a member of the Committee on Education and The Workforce, Congressman Grijalva will be making the reform and full funding of No Child Left Behind his top educational priority for the 113th Congress. Raúl is also a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, where he has been appointed Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations. As Chairman of the Subcommittee in the 111th Congress, Raúl played the leading role in creating a permanent National Landscape Conservation System within the Department of the Interior and fought successfully to address the maintenance funding shortfall of American public lands. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), Raúl has championed affordable health care for every American. As a long-standing member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus --where he chairs the Education Task Force --Raúl has worked for comprehensive immigration reform.
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CONGRESSWOMAN COLLEEN HANABUSA (D-1ST HI) Committees: Armed Services; Natural Resources Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs (Ranking Member); Readiness; Seapower and Projection Forces; Energy and Mineral Resources; Public Lands and Environmental Regulation Congressional Native American Caucus Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa has spent more than three decades fighting for the rights of her clients in the halls of justice and her constituents on the floor of the Hawaii State Legislature. Congresswoman Hanabusa, a yonsei, fourth generation American of Japanese ancestry, whose grandparents were interned during World War II, has dedicated her life to service and is committed to providing for the people of Hawaii while preserving the unique values and traditions that define the Aloha spirit. In November 1998, Congresswoman Hanabusa was elected to serve the people of the Twenty-First District as their State Senator. Congresswoman Hanabusa is married to Honolulu businessman John Souza. They have a 9 year-old Border Collie named Little. SENATOR MARTIN HEINRICH (D-NM) Committees: Energy & Natural Resources; Select Intelligence; Joint Economic Elected in 2012, Martin Heinrich serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources, Intelligence, and Joint Economic and Commerce Committees. As the only engineer in the Senate, Heinrich brings a unique perspective to creating good, sustainable jobs, and protecting the vital missions at our national labs and military installations. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Heinrich served two terms in the House where he voted to cut taxes for the middle class, worked to make college more affordable, and improved benefits for veterans. He passed legislation to remove barriers to homeownership for Native families, and championed the DREAM Act as an original cosponsor. Before serving in Congress, Heinrich was the Albuquerque City Council President and the Natural Resources Trustee for the State of New Mexico. Martin is driven by his working-class upbringing, his wife, Julie, his two young sons, and the great people of New Mexico. SENATOR HEIDI HEITKAMP (D-ND) Committees: Indian Affairs; Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry; Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs; Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs; Small Business & Entrepreneurship Heidi Heitkamp is the first female senator ever elected from North Dakota, and took the oath of office on January 3, 2013. As a crime-fighting attorney general, she battled drug dealers, protected senior citizens from scams, and worked to keep sexual predators off streets and away from kids, even after their prison terms are up. As a director of the one-of-a-kind Dakota Gasification synfuels plant, Senator Heitkamp has a long record of serving as a champion for North Dakota’s energy industry. Senator Heitkamp sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee
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CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS and Committee on Indian Affairs. She also serves on the Banking, Small Business and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees. Heidi lives in Mandan with her husband, Dr. Darwin Lange, a family practitioner. They have two children. CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISSA (R-49TH CA) Committees: Judiciary; Oversight & Government Reform (Chair), Congressional Native American Caucus (Vice Chair) Congressman Darrell Issa has held his seat in the House of Representatives since 2001. In 2003, Issa was the architect behind the successful popular uprising to recall former Democratic California Governor Gray Davis. As the holder of 37 patents himself, Issa has been vigilant about protecting the intellectual property rights of artists and other entrepreneurs to help protect America’s position at the forefront of innovation and creativity in the entertainment and technology industries. His successful efforts to fight human trafficking along the United States border has resulted in tougher laws, stiffer penalties, and more consistent enforcement. His watchful concern to guarantee that U.S. taxpayers receive the royalties they are owed from mineral interests on federal lands exposed fraud and mismanagement at the Mineral Management Service (MMS) in 2006. As a fiscal conservative committed firmly to low taxes and free markets, Issa has opposed the rise of out-of-control government spending and fought tirelessly for the responsible, transparent use of taxpayer dollars. CONGRESSMAN DEREK KILMER (D-6TH WA) Committees: Armed Services; Science, Space & Technology Congressional Native American Caucus Derek Kilmer was the Senate’s lead capital budget writer and last year he worked on a bipartisan proposal to target longterm economic growth, investing $1 billion in infrastructure statewide and directly creating 18,000 jobs. In the State Legislature, Derek helped lead a successful bipartisan effort in the Washington State Senate to eliminate the budget deficit in Olympia and reduce state debt. He wrote the law that helped build the new St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor – which created four hundred and fifty local jobs. In the State Legislature, Derek fought hard for education funding and for financial aid programs to help students go to college. As a member of the Washington State Senate, his commitment to helping military families and veterans has been recognized by local veterans groups and the Department of Defense. In the State Legislature, Derek worked to protect our environment by passing a bipartisan law to create jobs through investments in stormwater cleanup, Puget Sound restoration, and toxic site cleanup. Derek and his wife Jennifer live in Gig Harbor with their daughters Sophie and Tess.
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CONGRESSMAN DOUG LAMALFA (R-1ST CA) Committees: Agriculture; Natural Resources Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs; General Farm Commodities & Risk Management; Horticulture, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture, Public Lands & Enviromental Regulation; Water & Power Doug LaMalfa is a fourth generation rice farmer and business owner who has lived in Northern California all his life. A conservative leader, Doug LaMalfa has opposed increasing taxes and is a stalwart defender of California’s Proposition 13. Doug is a strong supporter of private property rights and the author of a Constitutional Amendment to protect Californians against eminent domain abuse. Water is the North State’s most precious natural resource and Doug LaMalfa believes in protecting our water rights and developing more water storage. Doug successfully authored and passed California’s Forest Fire Protection Act of 2004 to allow landowners to make their rural lands fire-safe. CONGRESSWOMAN BETTY MCCOLLUM (D-4TH MN) Committees: Appropriations Congressional Native American Caucus (Co-Chair) In 2000, Congresswoman McCollum made Minnesota history by being the second woman elected to serve in Congress since statehood in 1858. She is currently serving her sixth term. During the 112th Congress, Congresswoman McCollum remains on the House Appropriations Committee. She is a Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other relevant agencies. Congresswoman McCollum also serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Indian Health Service, and several other related agencies. Congresswoman McCollum holds the position of Senior Democratic Whip within the Democratic Caucus. She is also one of three House members appointed to serve on the National Council on the Arts. During the 112th Congress, she participates in several Congressional caucuses. CONGRESSWOMAN GWEN MOORE (D-4TH WI) Committees: Budget; Financial Services Congressional Native American Caucus Congresswoman Gwen Moore was elected to represent Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional District in 2004 making her the first African-American elected to Congress from the state of Wisconsin. She is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, which has jurisdiction over the banking, insurance and housing industries. She serves on two subcommittees of the House Committee on Financial Services, including the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises and the Monetary Policy
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CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS and Trade Subcommittee. Rep. Moore also sits on the House Budget Committee, which oversees the federal budget process, reviews all bills and resolutions on the budget, and monitors agencies and programs funded from the budget process. She is also a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and is currently a Regional Whip for the Democratic Caucus. She has fought to curb predatory lending in minority neighborhoods, supported sound efforts to help small businesses grow and advance the creation of new jobs, pushed for more affordable housing and advocated for compliance with respect to the non-discriminatory hiring of minority-owned businesses for government contracts. Congresswoman Moore is an alumnus and strong advocate for the Federal TRIO programs, which are designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds and help them get to college. CONGRESSMAN MARKWAYNE MULLIN (R-2ND OK) Tribal Affiliation: Cherokee Nation Committees: Natural Resources; Transportation & Infrastructure Congressional Native American Caucus Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs; Water & Power; Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management; Highways & Transit; Water Resources and Environment Markwayne Mullin is an eastern Oklahoma native, successful businessman, rancher, and family man. Shortly after Mullin graduated from Stilwell High School, his father fell ill and the family’s small plumbing company encountered financial troubles. Mullin stabilized the company and grew it into one of the largest service companies in the tri-state area. Today, it is only one of several successful companies they own and operate. Mullin is proud to have turned a family trade into a thriving business that employs over 120 Oklahomans. He also continues to run his cattle ranch in Westville. He’s also a rodeo and a martial arts enthusiast and is an avid hunter. He’s been married to Christie, his high school sweetheart, for 15 years and they have three children. Mullin is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He is the second Native American in the House. Congressman Mullin has been selected to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. CONGRESSWOMAN KRISTI NOEM (R-AT LARGE SD) Committees: Agriculture; Armed Services Congressional Native American Caucus Kristi Noem is a wife, mother, experienced rancher, farmer and former small business owner. Kristi was born and raised in rural Hamlin County in northeastern South Dakota and still lives in Castlewood with her husband, Bryon, and their three children, Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker. Kristi’s experience as a small business owner shaped her understanding of government and its purpose. Kristi was first elected to serve as South Dakota’s lone Member of the
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U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 and was re-elected on November 6, 2012. She serves on the Agriculture Committee and the Armed Services Committee. Kristi enjoys helping her daughters compete in rodeo and 4-H. She has been a 4-H leader for 14 years. Kristi is also an avid hunter. She particularly enjoys pheasant hunting on the homestead and archery elk with her brothers. CONGRESSMAN RICK NOLAN (D-8TH MN) Committees: Agriculture; Transportation & Infrastructure Congressional Native American Caucus Rick Nolan began his public service in 1968, representing Morrison County in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 2 terms. Rick decided to leave Congress in 1980 to spend more time with his young family and pursue private business. Establishing his own business, U.S. Export Corporation, he worked with then Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich to build and operate the Minnesota World Trade Center in downtown St. Paul. He later served as president of the Minnesota World Trade Center Corporation and chaired the International Association of World Trade Centers’ Trade and Policy Committee, the world’s largest private sector international trade group. Rick is also the former owner of Emily Wood Products, a small sawmill and pallet factory in the northern Minnesota community of Emily. Continuing his public service, Rick became chairman of his local Mission Township Planning Committee, and chairman of the Central Lakes College Foundation, raising money for disadvantaged students of all ages. Elected again to Congress in 2012, he retains his previous seniority as a 4th term Member. CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE, JR. (D-6TH NJ) Committees: Energy & Commerce; Natural Resources Congressional Native American Caucus (Vice Chair) On January 3, 2013, Frank Pallone, Jr. was sworn in for his 13th full term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout his tenure in Congress, Pallone’s legislative accomplishments have been geared to the protection and restoration of environmental resources and making health care more affordable and accessible. Pallone has successfully worked to stop ocean dumping and offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. He has obtained millions of dollars for shore protection and beach replenishment work along a large stretch of the Jersey Coast, for dredging of the area’s navigation channels and for the maintenance of his district’s National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook. Pallone is a leader in protecting the integrity of the Medicare guarantee and Medicaid programs, ensuring food safety, strengthening the federal Superfund program to clean up toxic waste sites, strengthening the nation’s clean water laws, and protecting our shores against the threat of offshore drilling. Pallone married the former Sarah Hospodor in 1992. They have three children, daughters Rose Marie and Celeste Teresa, and a son, Frank Andrew.
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CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS CONGRESSMAN NICK RAHALL, II (D-3RD WV) Committees: Transportation & Infrastructure Congressional Native American Caucus U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall, II, is currently serving his 19th term in the House of Representatives, and is recognized as the youngest-elected, longest-serving Member in the history of the House. As a longstanding member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and now its top Democrat, Rahall has been a leader in every Federal Highway debate since coming to Congress, working to build and repair the Nation’s highways and bridges, improve and modernize airports, and provide critical water and sewer systems and flood control projects throughout West Virginia and the Nation. On the Natural Resources Committee, he strived to honor the Committee’s charge of serving the natural environment, wild lands, scenic vistas, fish and wildlife, and the American public. His membership on that Committee afforded him the chance to work on issues close to the hearts of many West Virginians – such as preserving the State’s rich history; expanding tourism opportunities; protecting hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities; and safeguarding West Virginia’s special places for future generations to enjoy. He is married to the former Melinda Ross of Ashland, Kentucky; has three children: Rebecca, Nick Joe, III, and Suzanne Nicole; and three grandchildren. CONGRESSMAN RAUL RUIZ (D-36TH CA) Committees: Natural Resources; Veterans’ Affairs Congressional Native American Caucus Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D., earned his Medical Degree, as well as a Masters of Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government and a Masters of Public Health from the School of Public Health, becoming the first Latino to earn three graduate degrees from Harvard University. Dr. Ruiz started a pre-medical mentorship program for young aspiring doctors, which has grown to include over 100 local students. The program became part of the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, where Dr. Ruiz served as a Senior Associate Dean. Through the group Volunteers in Medicine, he helped to open a free clinic to help underserved communities in the Coachella Valley. In 2010, Dr. Ruiz started the Coachella Valley Healthcare Initiative, which brought together stakeholders from across the region to address the local healthcare crisis. The U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne awarded him the Commanders Award for Public Service for his work. Dr. Ruiz continued his work as an Emergency Room Doctor until he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012.
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CONGRESSMAN SCOTT TIPTON (R-3RD CO) Committees: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Small Business Congressional Native American Caucus Congressman Scott Tipton was raised in Cortez, Colorado. In the 112th Congress, Scott pushed hard to advance a federal version of Katie’s Law to encourage additional states to implement minimum DNA collection standards and enhanced collection processes for felons in order to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to prevent violent crimes, and protect women and children. In his first term, Scott introduced legislation to encourage healthy forest management and prevent wildfire, as well as passed a bill in the House with bipartisan support to advance the development of clean, renewable hydropower. He is also leading the charge in Congress to stop a federal grab of privately-held water rights, standing up for farmers and ranchers, the ski industry, and all who rely on their water rights to survive. He passed the Planning for American Energy Act through the House (as a title under the American Domestic Energy and Jobs Act) to put requirements into place to develop wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, oil, natural gas, coal, oil shale and minerals, based on the needs of the American people. Scott is a co-founder of the Congressional Small Business Caucus, a bipartisan caucus committed to open dialogue on the issues that most impact small businesses. CONGRESSMAN DON YOUNG (R-AT LARGE AK) Committees: Natural Resources; Transportation & Infrastructure Congressional Native American Caucus Sub-Committees: Indian & Alaska Native Affairs (Chair); Fisheries, Wilflife, Oceans and Insular Affairs; Public Lands and Environmental Regulation; Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation; Highways and Transit; Water Resources and Environment Congressman Don Young was re-elected to the 113th Congress in 2012 to serve his 21th term as Alaska’s only Representative to the House of Representatives. First sworn in as a freshman to the 93rd Congress after winning a special election on March 6, 1973, Congressman Young is today the 2nd ranking Republican member and the 5th ranking overall member of the House of Representatives. Congressman Young first entered public service in 1964 when he was elected Mayor of Fort Yukon. Two years later, Alaskan voters elected him to the State Legislature in Juneau where he served in the State House from 1966 to 1970, and later in the State Senate from 1970 to 1973. Just hours after being sworn in to United States House of Representatives in 1973, he found himself leading the historic battle for approval of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline. He went on to gain a key appointment on the then Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee where he pushed through the 200-mile fishing limit critical to Alaska’s fishing industry. He fought against federal control of lands and resources to which Alaskans are rightfully entitled – a battle he continues today. In 1997, he passed by a 419 to 1 vote, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, which sets guidelines and priority uses within our nation’s 550-plus wildlife refuges.
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AGENCY & COMMITEE SPEAKERS
ACTING CHAIRMAN JONODEV OSCEOLA CHAUDHURI, NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri (Muscogee Creek) is the Acting Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Acting Chairman Chaudhuri brings to the NIGC extensive policy, legal, and judicial experience and a lifelong commitment to serving the Native American community. His varied experiences each stem from his understanding of the connection between the development of strong governmental institutions and Native American self-determination. Prior to his appointment as Acting Chairman at the NIGC, he served as Senior Counselor to the Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, where he provided guidance and assistance on a wide range of national policy issues, including Indian gaming, economic development, energy, Alaska affairs, and tribal recognition. He has practiced law for over a decade, primarily in private practice serving tribes and tribal entities. Additionally, Acting Chairman Chaudhuri has served as a judge on five different tribal courts, including serving his tribe as Chief Justice of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court. Acting Chairman Chaudhuri graduated with a bachelor’s of arts degree from Dartmouth College, N.H. and a J.D. from Cornell Law School, N.Y. RICHARD LITSEY, COUNSEL & SENIOR ADVISOR FOR INDIAN AFFAIRS, SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Richard Litsey is Counsel and Senior Advisor for Indian Affairs for the United States Senate, Committee on Finance, handling Social Security, Indian Health Care, and tribal tax issues. He is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma and has been working on the Finance Committee for the past nine years. The Finance Committee has jurisdiction over tax, health, social security, and trade. Prior to working for the Finance Committee Richard worked as the Hearing Office Director for the Social Security Administration where he supervised attorneys, paralegals, and support staff working on social security disability, Medicare, and Medicaid issues. He also worked as a trade lawyer with Baker & Hostetler in Houston, Texas and he worked for the Legal Services Corporation on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Reservation in Philadelphia, Mississippi and for the Gulf Coast Legal Foundation in Galveston, Texas. He has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Oklahoma State University, a Juris Doctor degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and a Master’s of Law in International Economic Law from the University of Houston. He is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, and the Capitol Hill Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
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MARY PAVEL, STAFF DIRECTOR AND CHIEF COUNSEL, SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS SCIA Staff Director Mary Pavel, a member of the Skokomish Tribe of the state of Washington, is an expert on Tribal law and policy. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Washington School of Law, Pavel became one of the first Native American women to be made a partner in a National Indian Law Firm. She joined Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry in 1992 and became a partner in January 1999. Pavel is the Founding President of the Native American Bar Association of Washington, D.C., and is a member of both the Washington State Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Association. “Mary is well-known as one of the best and sharpest policy experts in Native American and Alaska Native policy and law,” Cantwell said. “Mary grew up in Washington state and understands the diverse issues facing Tribes in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. I look forward to working with Mary to improve economic opportunity, strengthen education and increase access to health care for all of Indian Country. With Mary on board, I am confident that the Senate Indian Affairs Committee is ready to tackle tough issues and make significant progress for Tribes.” (Source Indianz.com) KEVIN WASHBURN, ASSISTANT SECRETARY-INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Kevin K. Washburn, an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, was confirmed by the United States Senate as the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs for the U.S. Department of the Interior on September 21, 2012, and was sworn into office by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on October 9, 2012. Mr. Washburn came to the Department of the Interior from the University of New Mexico School of Law where he served as Dean, a post he held since June 2009. Previously, he served as General Counsel for the National Indian Gaming Commission from 2000 to 2002, and as an Assistant United States Attorney in Albuquerque, N.M., from 1997 to 2000. He was a trial attorney in the Indian Resource Section of the U.S. Department of Justice from 1994 to 1997. From 1993 to 1994, he clerked for the Hon. William C. Canby, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Phoenix. His past awards in federal service include the Environmental Protection Agency’s Bronze Medal for Commendable Service (2000) for representing the agency in successful Clean Air Act litigation and Special Commendations for Outstanding Service from the Justice Department (1997, 1998). Mr. Washburn is a well-known scholar of federal Indian law. Mr. Washburn is married with two children.
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