Sen. Byron Dorgan with Marcus D. Levings (seated) and former council member Malcolm Wolf during a visit to the Fort Berthold Reservation in September 2008. Photo © Three Affiliated Tribes.

Marcus D. Levings, the chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation of North Dakota, thanked Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) for helping the Three Affiliated Tribes with health, law enforcement, transportation and energy issues.

"On behalf of the Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council and the people of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara I would like to extend my congratulations to North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan on an exemplary career of public service to the people of North Dakota and all American citizens," said Levings.

Dorgan, who has served as chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee since January 2007, visited the Fort Berthold Reservation in September 2008. At the time, he received the name "Numak aki Kikũte" from elder Edwin Benson, the last fluent speaker of the Mandan language.

"Senator Dorgan, your name Numak aki Kikũte is a great honor to be held within the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara of the Three Affiliated Tribes," Levings said during the visit. "You are truly revered and respected and our prayers are with you in working towards the betterment of our people's needs within the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and throughout the United States."

Among other accomplishments, Levings said Dorgan helped secure the passage of legislation to authorize and appropriate a $21 million health facility on the reservation. Dorgan also pushed the Bush administration to expedite oil and gas development on the reservaiton, Levings said.

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