2013 NIGA Summer Legislative Summit

3 | LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT JULY 23-24, 2013


SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS9:00AM - 2:00PM628 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING

HILL MEETINGS ON YOUR OWN2:00PM - 5:00PM

TRIBAL LEADERS’ RECEPTION5:30PM - 7:30PMB369, RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING

WEDNESDAY JULY 24, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS & ADMINISTRATION9:00AM - 12:00PM10:45AM - NIGC CHAIRWOMAN TRACIE STEVENSSVC 201-00CAPITOL VISITORS CENTER

TRIBAL LEADER DISCUSSION- TAX REFORM- EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ESTABLISH COUNCIL ON NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS

HILL MEETINGS ON YOUR OWN12:00PM - 5:00PM

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 Summit.

Ernie L. Stevens Jr. Chairman, National Indian Gaming Association

WELCOME

6 | WWW.INDIANGAMING.ORG

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 or-ganizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around the country. The common commit-ment 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 gam-ing enterprises in Indian Country. To fulfill its mission, NIGA works with the Federal government and Congress to de-velop sound policies and practices and to provide technical assistance and advocacy on gaming-related issues. In addi-tion, NIGA seeks to maintain and protect Indian sovereign governmental authority in Indian Country.

LOCATION

National Indian Gaming Association224 Second Street SEWashington, DC 20003

6 | WWW.INDIANGAMING.ORG 7 | LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT JULY 23-24, 2013

NIGA LEADERSHIP & STAFF

CHAIRMANERNEST L. STEVENS JR.ONEIDA NATION OF WISCONSIN224 SECOND STREET, SEWASHINGTON, DC 20003(920) 869-4413 FAX: (920) 869-4371

VICE-CHAIRMANKEVIN LEECYCHAIRMANBOIS FORTE BAND OF CHIPPEWAPO BOX 16TOWER, MN 55772(218) [email protected]

TREASURERMARK FOXTHREE AFFILIATED TRIBES404 FRONTAGE ROADNEW TOWN, ND 58763701-627-4781FAX: 701-627-3503

SECRETARYBERNADINE BURNETTE, FORT MCDOWELL YAVAPAI-APACHE TRIBEP.O. BOX 17779FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ 85269480 789 7000

ALASKA DELEGATEANDY EBONADOUGLAS VILLAGE P.O. BOX 240826DOUGLAS, AK 99824(907) 364-2901FAX: (907) [email protected]

NORTHWEST DELEGATEDAVID Z. BEANPUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS3009 EAST PORTLAND AVENUETACOMA, WA [email protected]

PACIFIC DELEGATEMARK [email protected]

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DELEGATEJENNI S. WILDCATNORTHERN ARAPAHO GAMING AGENCYPO BOX 1760RIVERTON, WY 82501307-438-3719 FAX: [email protected]

WESTERN DELEGATELOUIS MANUEL JR., CHAIRMANAK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY42507 WEST PETERS & NALL RD.MARICOPA, AZ 85138(520) [email protected]

SOUTHWEST DELEGATECHARLES PONCHOPUEBLO OF LAGUNA(505) [email protected]

GREAT PLAINS DELEGATE CHARLIE MURPHYSTANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBEP.O. BOX DFORT YATES, ND 58538(701) 854-8505 FAX: (701) [email protected]

SOUTHERN PLAINS DELEGATECARRIE O’TOOLEPRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI16281 Q RD.MAYETTA, KS 66509OFFICE (785) 966-4048 CELL (785) [email protected]

EASTERN OKLAHOMA DELEGATEMATTHEW MORGANCHICKASAW NATIONP.O. BOX 1548ADA, OK 74821(580) [email protected]

MIDWEST DELEGATEBRANDON STEVENSONEIDA TRIBE OF WISCONSINP.O. BOX 365ONEIDA WI 54155(920) [email protected]

EASTERN DELEGATEEDDIE TULLISPOARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS5811 JACK SPRINGS ROADATMORE, AL 36502(257) [email protected]

AT-LARGEKURT LUGEREXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREAT PLAINS INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATIONPO BOX 1983BISMARCK, ND 58502-1983(701) 255-9275 FAX: (701) 255-9281

KURT BLUEDOGSHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX5001 AMERICAN BLVD. WEST, SUITE 500BLOOMINGTON, MN 55437(952) 893-1813 FAX: (952) 893-0650

GREG ABRAHAMSONCHAIRMANSPOKANE TRIBEPO BOX 1006195 FOND WELLPINIT RD.WELLPINIT, WA 99040(509) 458-6507 FAX: (509) 458-6553

STEPHEN LEWISLT. GOV. GILA RIVER TRIBEP.O. BOX 97SACAGON, AZ(520) 562-9845

ASSOCIATE MEMBER DELEGATE(NON-VOTING) ROCHANNE HACKETTWELLS FARGOMANAGING DIRECTORNATIONAL GAMING DEVELOPMENT

KARI MCKORMICKKITCHELL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTMANAGER, NATIVE AMERICAN MARKET

_____________

EXECUTIVE STAFF

JASON GILESEXECUTIVE [email protected]

DANIELLE HER MANY HORSESDEPUTY EXECUTIVE [email protected]

RICHARD FRIAS LEGISLATIVE [email protected]

MARK VAN NORMANSENIOR ADVISOR

CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS

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CONGRESSMAN XAVIER BECERRA (D-34TH CA) Committees: Ways & Means

First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, Representative Xavier Becerra serves as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, is a member of the Committee on Ways And Means and is Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security. The first Latino to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Becerra

has used his position to increase opportunities for working families, to improve the Social Security program for women and minorities, to combat poverty among the working poor, and to strengthen Medicare and ensure its long-term viability. Rep. Becerra is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) where he served as Chair during the 105th Congress (1997-98). Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Becerra served one term in the California Legislature as the representative of the 59th Assembly District in Los Angeles County. He is a former Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice. Rep. Becerra is married to Dr. Carolina Reyes. They are the proud parents of three daughters: Clarisa, Olivia and Natalia.

SENATOR MARK BEGICH (D-AK)Committees: Indian Affairs; Appropriations; Commerce, Science & Transportation; Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs; Veterans’ Affairs

Subcommittee: Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

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 Senate Appropriations Committee, and 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 was elected to the Senate in 2008 after serving as mayor of Anchorage for nearly six years. 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; Veterans’ Affairs

Dan Benishek was born in Iron River, Michigan. 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 TONY CÁRDENAS (D-29TH CA)Committees: Budget; Natural Resources; Oversight & Government Reform

Tony Cardenas was elected to the State Assembly in 1996, as the first Latino representing the San Fernando Valley in California’s legislature. Over three terms in the Assembly and eight years as a Los Angeles City Councilmember, he earned national acclaim for his gang prevention strategies. After

graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Cardenas returned to the San Fernando Valley where he still resides with his wife, Norma, and their children.

SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL (D-WA)Committees: Indian Affairs (Chair); Commerce, Science & Transportation; Energy & Natural Resources; Finance; Small Business & Entrepreneurship

Maria Cantwell currently serves as a United States Senator for the State of Washington. Maria was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000 and again in 2006. She cut taxes for the middle-class by ensuring that Washington taxpayers can deduct state

and local taxes from their federal returns. 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 TOM COLE (R-4TH OK)Committees: Appropriations; Budget; RulesCongressional 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

Currently serving in his sixth term, Tom Cole was elected to Congress in 2002. Cole is an advocate for a strong national defense, a tireless advocate for taxpayers and small businesses, and 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 JOHN CONYERS, JR. (D-13TH MI)Committee: Judiciary (Ranking Member) Representative John Conyers, Jr., a Detroit Democrat, was re-elected to represent the 14th Congressional District in November of 2010, to his 24th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Having entered the House of Representatives in 1965, Mr. Conyers is the second most senior member in the House of Representatives. He served

as Chairman of the House Committee on Government Operations (now renamed Committee on Oversight and Government Reform) from 1989 until 1994. In 2006, Congressman Conyers was elected by his congressional colleagues to lead, as Chairman, the House Committee on the Judiciary in the 110th and 111th Congress. Congressman Conyers was also a member of the Judiciary Committee in its 1974 hearings on the Watergate impeachment scandal and played a prominent role in the recent impeachment process, giving him the distinction as the only Judiciary Committee Member to have served on both panels. Congressman Conyers is also one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and is considered the Dean of that group. Formed in 1969, the CBC was founded to strengthen African-American law makers’ ability to address the legislative concerns of Black and minority citizens. In Mr. Conyers’ 40 plus years in Congress, some of his major accomplishments include: the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, the Motor Voter Bill of 1993, the Martin Luther King Holiday Act of 1983, the Alcohol Warning Label Act of 1988, and the Jazz Preservation Act of 1987. He was also the driving force behind the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

CONGRESSMAN STEVE DAINES (R-AT LARGE MT)Committees: Homeland Security; Natural Resources; Transportation & Infrastructure

A fifth-generation Montanan, Steve Daines was elected to serve the people of Montana on November 6, 2012. He 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 was the founder of Giveitback.com, a non-profit organization formed to advocate for the return of Montana’s one billion dollar surplus to taxpayers. 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.

CONGRESSWOMAN SUZAN DELBENE (D-1ST WA)Committees: Agriculture; Judiciary

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene represents Washington’s 1st Congressional District. She was first sworn into Congress on November 13, 2012. She is an experienced and successful technology entrepreneur and business leader with over 20 years experience in the private sector. Suzan was a senior advisor to Global Partnerships, a non-profit focused 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. During her tenure, Suzan proposed reforms to cut red tape for small businesses. 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.

CONGRESSMAN JEFF DENHAM (R-10TH CA)Committees: Agriculture; Transportation &Infrastructure; Veterans’ Affairs

Congressman Jeff Denham represents the 10th District of California in the U.S. House of Representatives. His district includes all of Stanislaus County and part of San Joaquin County. He 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. Jeff and Sonia Denham have been married for 19 years, and they have two children, Austin and Samantha.

CONGRESSMAN PAUL ANTHONY GOSAR (R-4TH AZ) Committees: Natural Resources; Oversight & Government Reform

Congressman Paul A. Gosar, DDS hails from Prescott, Arizona and is serving his second term in Congress as the Representative from Arizona’s Fourth Congressional District. Before being elected to Congress in 2010, Gosar owned his own dental practice in Flagstaff for twenty-five 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

In his sixth term as a Member of Congress, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva remains committed to his constituents in Congressional District 3, since his election to Congress in 2002. 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 and has pushed for job creation measures that focus on improving America’s infrastructure and economic base. As a long-standing member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — where he chairs the Education Task Force — Raúl has worked for comprehensive immigration reform.

CONGRESSWOMAN COLLEEN HANABUSA (D-1ST HI)Committees: Armed Services; Natural Resources

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa represents Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. Congresswoman Hanabusa is a yonsei, a fourth generation American of Japanese ancestry whose grandparents were interned during World War II. In November 1998, Congresswoman Hanabusa was elected to serve the people of the Twenty-First District as

their State Senator. Along with her legislative work, Congresswoman Hanabusa is also an attorney with more than three decades of experience. She has championed the causes of labor, preserving and protecting the environment and stood up for communities she saw being bullied by private interest. 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

Senator Martin Heinrich is the junior United States Senator for New Mexico. Elected in 2012, Heinrich serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources, Intelligence, and Joint Economic and Commerce Committees. Heinrich

is a committed advocate for New Mexico’s middle-class families and a champion for his state’s burgeoning clean energy economy and treasured


public lands. 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 married to his wife Julie, and have two young sons.

SENATOR HEIDI HEITKAMP (D-ND)Committees: Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry; Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs; Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs; Small Business & Entrepreneurship; Indian Affairs

Heidi Heitkamp is the junior senator from North Dakota. She is the first female senator ever elected from North Dakota, and took the oath of office on January 3, 2013. Senator Heitkamp grew up in a large family in the small town of Mantador, ND. 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. She believes North Dakota’s all-of-the-above energy plan should serve as a model for the entire country. Senator Heitkamp sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee 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, Ali and Nathan.

SENATOR TIM JOHNSON (D-SD)Committees: Appropriations; Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs (Chair); Energy & Natural Resources; Indian Affairs Senator Tim Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986. During his first term in Congress, he was responsible for passing more legislation than any of the other 50 first-term members. Tim received national awards by the National Farmers Union, Disabled American Veterans, and

Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Within the House Democratic leadership organization, Tim served as Regional Deputy Whip from 1991-94. Tim served as South Dakota’s congressman for five terms before being elected to the Senate on November 5, 1996. Since that time, Tim has been re-elected twice, in 2002 and again in 2008. As an appropriator, Tim worked to secure $10 million to fund a deep underground science lab at the Homestake mine in Lead, and created incentives to benefit our state’s ethanol industry and farming community. Tim has proven to be a strong voice for South Dakota in Washington, including fighting to save Ellsworth Air Force Base and keeping important projects like the Lewis and Clark water system on track. In 2008, Tim joined the Operation Homefront Congressional Advisory Board, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency support and morale to our troops. He previously worked as an assistant prosecutor for Minnehaha County, clerked for U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier in Rapid City and practiced law in Sioux Falls. Married to Jana Beddow, together they have four children: Trualem, Peneal, Sutton and Cooper.


CONGRESSMAN DAN KILDEE (D-5TH MI)Committees: Financial Services Born and raised in Flint, Congressman Dan Kildee is a lifelong Michigan resident. He was first elected to office in 1977, becoming one of the youngest elected officials in the nation when he was elected to the Flint Board of Education. In 1985, he was elected to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, where he served for 12 years, including

five as board chairman. In 1997, Kildee was elected as Genesee County Treasurer, where he served until 2009. Most recently, Congressman Kildee co-founded and served as the president of The Center for Community Progress, where he serves as one of the nation’s leading voices on urban land reform and revitalization. Prior to co-founding Community Progress, he founded the Genesee Land Bank Michigan’s first land bank. Congressman Kildee resides in Flint with his wife Jennifer of 24 years. They currently have two children in college, Kenneth at the University of Michigan-Flint and Katy at Central Michigan University. His oldest son Ryan and his wife Ginger are the parents of Congressman Kildee’s first and only grandchild, one-year old Caitlin.

CONGRESSMAN DEREK KILMER (D-6TH WA)Committees: Armed Services; Science, Space & Technology

Derek Kilmer was the Senate’s lead capital budget writer and last year he worked on a bipartisan proposal to target long-term 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. During his time in the Washington State Legislature, business groups have praised Kilmer for being one of the most pro-business Democrats in Olympia. He wrote the law that helped build the new St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor – which created four hundred and fifty local jobs. 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 othe 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.

CONGRESSMAN RON KIND (D–3RD WI)Committees: Ways & Means; Congressional Native American Caucus (Vice Chairman)

Tribes located within district: Ho-Chunk Nation

Ron Kind has represented the people of western Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District since 1996.Ron is a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over

tax policy, Medicare, Social Security, and international trade. He serves on the Subcommittee on Health, and since becoming a member in 2007, Ron has focused his work primarily on that of issues relating to small



business, specifically their health care challenges. Ron also serves on the Subcommittee on Trade. Ron served as a member of the Natural Resources Committee from 1996-2010. In addition to his committee work, Ron has focused on the issue of agriculture reform, receiving national recognition in 2007 for his work to move the farm bill away from cash-crop subsidies for wealthy agribusinesses and toward increased conservation to help more farmers in more regions of the country. Ron is also the vice-chair of the centrist “New Democrat Coalition” and co-chairs the Congressional Fitness Caucus, the Congressional Organic Caucus, the National Parks Caucus, and the Upper Mississippi River Basin Task Force. His is also the former co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.

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.

CONGRESSMAN JIM MCDERMOTT (D-7TH WA)Committees: Budget; Ways & Means

In 1970, Jim McDermott was elected to the Washington State Legislature. He practiced medicine on a part-time basis, and during his time in the Legislature, first as a member of the State House of Representatives and then as a State Senator. After more than a decade in the State Senate, Jim decided to leave

politics to serve as a U.S. Foreign Service Medical Officer in 1987. Stationed in Zaire, Jim was charged with providing psychiatric services to State Department employees, USAID staff, and Peace Corps personnel throughout sub-Saharan Africa. He is now serving his twelfth term, representing the 7th Congressional District of Washington State. Jim is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee – Congress’ tax-writing panel. Jim resides in the city of Seattle and has two grown children and three grandchildren.


CONGRESSWOMAN GWEN MOORE (D-4TH WI)Committees: Budget; Financial Services

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 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. 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)Committees: Natural Resources; Transportation & Infrastructure

Tribal Affiliation: Cherokee Nation

Markwayne Mullin was elected to serve the people of Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District in November 2012.

Mullin is an eastern Oklahoma native, successful businessman, rancher, and family man. Mullin is proud to have turned a family trade into a thriving business that employs over 120 Oklahomans. He 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 and they have three children. Mullin is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He is the second Native American in the House — the other being Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Congressman Mullin has been selected to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.

CONGRESSMAN RICK NOLAN (D-8TH MN)Committees: Agriculture; Transportation & Infrastructure

Rick Nolan represents Minnesota’s sprawling 8th District. He 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 SCOTT PETERS (D-52ND CA)Committees: Armed Services; Science, Space & Technology

Congressman Scott Peters serves California’s 52nd Congressional District. His career in public service includes serving as San Diego’s first City Council President, where he pursued greater accountability and efficiency in government. Peters created a new Council/Mayor form of government with

an independent budget review function. Scott also served as a San Diego Port Commissioner, and is the past chairman of the San Diego Unified Port District. Scott earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa and worked as an economist for the United States Environmental Protection Agency before attending New York University School of Law. He and his wife of 26 years reside in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California and have a son and daughter.

CONGRESSMAN RAUL RUIZ (D-36TH CA)Committees: Natural Resources; Veterans’ Affairs

Dr. Ruiz graduated magna cum laude from UCLA. He went on to Harvard University, where he 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. He represents California’s 36th District.


SENATOR BRIAN SCHATZ (D-HI)Committees: Commerce, Science & Transportation; Energy & Natural Resources; Indian Affairs

Brian Schatz was sworn into office as United States Senator from Hawaii on December 27, 2012. Brian previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawaii. Brian was also the administration’s representative to the Chamber of

Commerce’s Military Affairs Council. From 1998 to 2006, Brian Schatz was a member of the State House of Representatives, representing the State’s 25th district. During this time, he served as the House Majority Whip, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Vice-Chair of Water, Land and Ocean Resources, Vice-Chair of Consumer Protection and Commerce, and as a member of the Hawaiian Affairs, Higher Education, Energy and Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Committees. Before being elected Lieutenant Governor, Brian served for eight years as the CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii, one of Hawaii’s largest non-profit community social services organizations. Senator Schatz was raised in Hawaii, and graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California. He is married to Linda Kwok Schatz who is an architect. They have a son and daughter.

SENATOR JON TESTER (D–MT)Committees: Appropriations; Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs; Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs; Veterans’ Affairs; Indian Affairs

Senator Jon Tester is third-generation Montana farmer, a proud grandfather and a former school teacher who has deep roots in hard work, responsibility and accountability.

After earning a degree in music from the College of Great Falls, Jon took over the Tester farm in 1978. He also taught music at F.E. Miley Elementary and eventually was elected to the Big Sandy School Board. Jon ran for and was elected to the Montana Senate in 1998. In 2005, Jon’s colleagues chose him to serve as Montana Senate President. The people of Montana elected Jon to the U.S. Senate in 2006 and again in 2012. In addition to farming and teaching, Jon and Sharla for years ran a custom butcher shop.




CONGRESSMAN DON YOUNG (R-AT LARGE AK)Committees: Natural Resources; Transportation & Infrastructure

Congressman Don Young was re-elected to the 113th Congress in 2012 to serve his 21th term as Alaska’s only Representative to the United States 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 served as Chairman of the House Resources Committee from 1995 to 2001 and then as the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2001-2007. In the 112th Congress, he was chosen to serve as the Chairman for the Subcommittee on Alaska Native and Indian Affairs. Don 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. 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.


ANTON GUNN, DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, HHSAnton J. Gunn is the Director of External Affairs in the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As Director of External Affairs, Mr. Gunn serves as the principal advisor for cultivating and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders for Secretary Sebelius. Mr. Gunn represents the Secretary in direct official dealings with

national, state, and local external organizations. Before serving as the Director of External Affairs, Mr. Gunn served as the Regional Director in the Region IV Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, covering Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina & Tennessee. Mr. Gunn represented the Secretary in direct official dealings with federal, state, local and tribal government organizations, and other external partners in the Region. Before his federal service, Anton represented District 79 in the South Carolina House of Representatives, which consists of Richland and Kershaw Counties. Elected in 2008, Representative Gunn was the first African American in history to represent his district, and served on the Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee, which handles health care-related legislation. Rep. Gunn was the author and lead sponsor of legislation creating the General Assembly’s first and only Joint Electronic Health Information Study Committee to examine the feasibility of increasing the use of Health Information Technology in South Carolina. Rep. Gunn also served the President and CEO of a public affairs and motivational speaking firm called Top Gunn Associates. Anton received a BA and Masters of Social Work from the University of South Carolina.

CHAIRWOMAN TRACIE L. STEVENS, NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSIONOn June 29, 2010, Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar swore in Tracie L. Stevens as Chairwoman of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). Stevens, a member of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, is the first Native American woman to chair the Commission. Prior to becoming NIGC Chairwoman, Stevens served

as Senior Advisor to Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk. In this role, Stevens provided policy guidance to the Assistant Secretary regarding tribal issues such as gaming, law enforcement, energy, consultation, economic development, land-into-trust, tribal government disputes, budget priorities, and treaty and natural resource rights. In 2003, Stevens served as a legislative policy analyst in the Tulalip’s government affairs office. She represented the Tulalips in gaming compact negotiations between the state of Washington and 27 federally recognized tribes in the State. In 2006, Stevens was elevated to senior policy analyst, a position she held until 2009. While working for the Tribe, Stevens also served as the Chair of the gaming committee for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (2003-2009), as secretary of the board of directors for the Washington Indian Gaming Association (2002-2009) and as the northwest delegate for the National Indian Gaming Association (2003-2009). Stevens received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the University of Washington-Seattle. Stevens and her family reside in western Maryland.

AGENCY & TRIBAL SPEAKERS

EDDIE TULLIS, POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANSMr. Eddie L. Tullis served on the Tribal Council of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for over 40 years. He was the Tribal Chairman for 27 of those years, from 1978-2005. Mr. Tullis is a leader not only for his Tribe, but also in Indian Country, as shown in the many national leadership roles he has held throughout the years, representing the interests that impact the welfare of the American Indian people. He is currently

a member of the PCI Tribal Council, Chairman of PCI Land and Natural Resources Legislative Committee, Vice-Chairman of Creek Indian Enterprise Development Authority (CIEDA), Chairman of National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA), Vice-Chairman of Americans for Indian Opportunities (AIO/ He is on the board of the; National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), Reid State Community College Foundation, Alabama Indian Affairs Commission, Alabama Archives and History Foundation, Portland State University Institute of Tribal Government. He was previously the chairman of National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE), Member of White House Conference on Indian Education Board of Directors, President of USETPresident of CENA, First Vice-President of NCAI. Also, he used to serve on the board of directors of; NARF, United Bank, National Historic Trail of Tears Commission. He was the president of the Indian and Native Alaskan Employment and Training Coalition, a member of NAHASDA, Chairman of Northwest Florida Creek Indian Council, President of Escambia County Young Republican Committee. Mr. Tullis is married to Mary Jane McGhee Tullis. They have four daughters, 14 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

KEVIN WASHBURN, ASSISTANT SECRETARY-INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORKevin 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. Among his other books and articles, he is a co-author and editor of the leading legal treatise in the field of Indian law, Cohen’s Handbook of Federal Indian Law (2012 edition).Mr. Washburn is married with two children.


Documents

2013 NIGA Summer Legislative Summit