Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) said he will continue an "aggressive fight" in his last year in the Senate and as chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

In a January 13 letter to tribal leaders, Dorgan said he will push for passage of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the Tribal Law and Order Act and legislation to enact the settlement of the Cobell Indian trust fund lawsuit. He also said energy, economic development, water rights, transportation and education are among his priorities.

"It is a great privilege to serve as Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and I will continue to work with you on all these important issues to ensure that Congress, today and in the future, upholds its treaty and trust obligations to all federally recognized Indian tribes," Dorgan said.

The second session of the 111th Congress begins tomorrow.

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