The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Larry EchoHawk to be assistant secretary of Indian affairs at the Department of the Interior.

EchoHawk is a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. He has vowed to make education, public safety and economic development top priorities at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"Larry EchoHawk has spent his life working on behalf of American Indian communities," Interior Secretary Salazar said in a press release. "He is a dedicated public servant with excellent leadership abilities and the legal expertise and legislative experience to help us carry out President Obama's commitment to build stronger Indian economies and safer Indian communities. Together we will work cooperatively with the federally-recognized tribes to empower American Indian and Alaska Native people, restore the integrity of the government-to-government relationship and fulfill the United States' trust responsibilities."

Earlier this week, the Senate confirmed Rhea Suh, as assistant secretary for policy, management and budget at Interior. She is a former aide to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado), a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana.

The nominations of Hilary Tompkins , a member of the Navajo Nation, to be Solicitor, and David Hayes as deputy secretary have been held up by Senate Republicans who are protesting the Obama administration's stance on oil and gas drilling.

Besides EchoHawk, Suh and Secretary Salazar, Thomas Strickland has been confirmed as as assistant secretary for fish and wildlife at Interior.

Get the Story:
Senate confirms BYU professor EchoHawk (The Salt Lake City Deseret News 5/20)

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