Dorgan disappointed by Artman's resignation

Friday, May 2, 2008  

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, said on Thursday he was disappointed by the resignation of assistant secretary Carl Artman.

Dorgan helped push Artman's nomination through the Senate. But after a little over a year on the job, Artman announced on Monday that he will be leaving his post as head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs on May 23.

"The position was vacant for two years, now it's filled for one year. Now it's going to be vacant again," Dorgan said at a hearing on energy development in Indian Country. "The BIA is not a well-run organization in any event. I had high hopes that Mr. Artman would come in and be very helpful ... but this is a huge disappointment."

Artman, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, has not given a reason for leaving. He has been out of town all week at a self-governance conference and has not been available for interviews.

Relevant Documents:
Resignation Letter (April 28, 2008)

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