"There's the $500 million deficit to deal with, education issues, transportation problems, a potential water crisis. It goes on. Still, one of the first things Arizona legislators hope to accomplish this year involves finding a way for state government to once again sanction the word 'squaw.'

In particular, a large group of Republican legislators is very interested in returning Spc. Lori Piestewa to the status of squaw by restoring the name of the Phoenix mountain that was changed last year in her honor.

The effort to do this is being led by Rep. Phil Hansen of Peoria and is supported by most of his fellow Republicans. Hansen told me Monday that he doesn't have strong feelings one way or the other what the peak is called, but that he very much wants to "restore the integrity of the naming process.'"

Get the Story:
E.J. Montini: To slur with love: A plan to restore Squaw Peak (The Arizona Republic 1/14)

Related Stories:
Debate rages over renaming of park at Piestewa Peak (01/09)
Piestewa family attends NCAI honoring ceremony (11/18)
Piestewa friend calls Hopi woman the real hero (11/12)
Piestewa family watched movie on Jessica Lynch (11/11)
Piestewa friend 'hurt' by military accounts (11/07)
Pvt. Lynch: 'Most of all, I miss Lori Piestewa' (07/23)
Army report describes attack on Piestewa's unit (07/10)
Army to release report on Piestewa ambush in Iraq (7/9)
Ariz. board votes in favor of Piestewa Peak again (07/03)
Piestewa family honored at Bighorn ceremony (6/26)
Piestewa family honored guests for Crow Days (6/20)
Lori Piestewa: 'Hell yeah, I've taken fire!' (6/19)
Report: Piestewa died at Iraqi hospital (6/18)
Piestewa family honored on Memorial Day (5/27)
Military official says Piestewa fought with courage (05/27)
Military completes report on Piestewa death (5/23)
Piestewa to be featured in veterans exhibit (5/21)
Ariz. senate panel OKs Piestewa 'pressure' bill (05/14)
U.S. board won't act on Piestewa Peak until 2008 (5/9)
First Lady meets Piestewa family on Navajo visit (5/9)
So how do you really pronounce Piestewa? (5/9)
Ariz. lawmakers respond to Piestewa Peak flap (5/8)
First Lady Laura Bush to visit Navajo Nation (5/7)
Tribal jail inmates reach out to Piestewa family (5/5)
Opinion: Show respect for Piestewa Peak (5/5)
Squaw Peak highway changed in honor of Piestewa (5/2)
Ariz. GOP still steamed over name change (5/2)
Renzi: Piestewa fought to save lives of others (5/1)
Ariz. board to vote on Squaw Peak Freeway (4/30)
Hopi Tribe holds ceremony in honor of Piestewa (4/28)
AICF creates scholarship fund in Piestewa's honor (4/28)
Oneida Nation students raise money for Piestewa (4/28)
Column: Squaw Peak changed with little debate (4/28)
Piestewa remembered in Ariz. candlelight ceremony (4/25)
Navajo Nation council honors Lori Piestewa (4/25)
Editorial: Renaming Squaw Peak was right move (4/25)
Renzi also says Piestewa fought 'to the death' (4/24)
Concert to benefit Lori Piestewa's children (4/24)
Column: Lori died because she had no options (4/24)
Column: Piestewa fought Iraqi attackers (4/23)
Editorial: Don't throw rocks over Piestewa Peak (4/23)
Squaw Peak name change being contested (4/23)
Ariz. governor faces fallout for Piestewa Peak (4/22)
Jodi Rave: Don't call Indian women 'squaw' (4/22)
Readers still want to talk about Squaw Peak (4/22)
Ariz. paper profiles Lori Piestewa's short life (4/21)
Column: We wouldn't rename peak for White man (4/21)
Readers praise, critique Squaw Peak name change (4/21)
Say goodbye to Squaw Peak in Ariz. (4/18)
Benson's View: Piestewa Peak vs. Pipsqueak (4/18)
Ariz. panel votes to change 'squaw' names (4/18)
Republic Editorial: 'They did the right thing' (4/18)
Column: Lori Piestewa was not a warrior (4/18)
Column: Piestewa's name deserves much more (4/18)
Piestewa Peak views continue to roll in (4/18)
Some Ariz. GOP unhappy with Piestewa plans (4/17)
Editorial: Don't wait five years to change name (4/17)
Pequot tribe donates scholarship to family (4/17)
Column: What's Better - Squaw Peak or Piestewa Peak? (4/17)
More support and opposition for Piestewa Peak (4/17)
Hopi Tribe to honor Piestewa in official ceremony (4/16)
Thousands remember Piestewa in memorial service (4/14)
Editorial: Stop making excuses for Squaw Peak (4/14)
Navajo lawmakers cite poor timing for name change (4/14)
More reaction to renaming peak for Piestewa (4/14)
Piestewa service to take place in Tuba City (4/11)
Piestewa, the Lady Warrior, honored at pow-wow (4/11)
More opinions on renaming peak for Piestewa (4/11)
Reaction: 'One of the Fallen Heroes' (4/10)
Piestewa story extends beyond Indian Country (4/10)
Don't expect Piestewa Peak any time soon (4/10)
Column: Name change is more than just symbolism (4/10)
Footnotes to a war: What about Private Lori? (4/10)
How to Donate to Lori Piestewa Memorial Fund (4/9)
Editorial: Rename Ariz. peak in honor of Piestewa (4/8)
Column: Would anyone call Piestewa a 'squaw'? (4/8)
Piestewa death investigated as war crime (4/8)
Memorial set for fallen soldiers from Ft. Bliss (4/8)
Snow in Hopiland heralds return of Piestewa (4/7)
DoD confirms Piestewa killed in action in Iraq (4/7)
Indian Country mourns loss of Native soldier (4/7)
Hopi Woman Confirmed Dead (4/5)
Readers react to Piestewa tragedy (4/5)
Letters of Support Lori Piestewa and Family(4/4)
Piestewa: 'When is his mom coming home?' (4/4)
Rescued soldier has no information on Piestewa (4/4)
Military begins difficult identification process (4/4)
Rescued soldier watched unit members die (4/3)
Fellow Piestewa unit member rescued in Iraq (4/2)
Vigil held in Ariz. for missing Hopi soldier (3/27)
Hopi Tribe prays for return of missing soldier (3/26)
Piestewa Family Letter: Thank you for prayers (3/26)
Ariz. soldier reported missing (3/25)