REFERENCE TITLE: Indian nations; cabinet department

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-first Legislature

First Regular Session

2013

 

 

SCM 1002

 

Introduced by

Senators Jackson Jr., Bradley, Farley, Gallardo, Lopez; Representatives Gonzales, Hale, Peshlakai, Steele: Senator Cajero Bedford; Representative Dalessandro

 

 

A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL

 

urging the governor of the state of arizona to establish a cabinet-level indian affairs department in this state.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 



To the Governor of the State of Arizona:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, the State of Arizona is home to more than 294,000 American Indians and twenty-two American Indian Nations and Tribes; and

Whereas, American Indians occupied and cultivated what is today Arizona many years before the birth of this state a century ago; and

Whereas, American Indians today contribute tens of millions of dollars to the Arizona economy; and

Whereas, the Members of the Legislature and the citizens of Arizona recognize the substantial contributions American Indians have made to the prosperity and cultural diversity of this state and nation; and

Whereas, the State of New Mexico, with a smaller American Indian population than Arizona, established the cabinet-level Indian Affairs Department to ensure that the Indian people of that state would have the Governor's direct and ongoing consideration; and

Whereas, the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department assists in setting policy and acts as a clearinghouse for state programs affecting the Indian people of New Mexico, among other functions; and

Whereas, the establishment of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department demonstrates that state's commitment to ensuring a strong, respectful and productive relationship between the State of New Mexico and its Indian Nations and Tribes; and

Whereas, in this state, the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs has routinely lacked funding and support appropriate for its mission; and

Whereas, Arizona's leaders can make a stronger commitment to addressing issues of mutual interest and concern between the twenty-two Indian Nations and Tribes in Arizona and this state.

Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:

1.  That the Governor of the State of Arizona work with the Legislature to elevate state-tribal policies and issues to a cabinet-level status for the mutual benefit of the American Indian people and the State of Arizona.

2.  That the Secretary of State transmit copies of this Memorial to the Governor of the State of Arizona, the Chairman and each Member of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs and each American Indian Tribe and Nation in the State of Arizona.