Washington,
D.C. (AP) – The Senate on May 19 confirmed Larry EchoHawk, a former Idaho
Attorney General and state legislator, to be assistant secretary of Indian
affairs at the Department of the Interior. EchoHawk (Pawnee) 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.”