Lance Morgan, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, will testify at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee today to discuss the 8(a) program at the Small Business Administration.

Morgan serves as chief executive officer of Ho-Chunk Inc., the tribe's economic development corporation. Through the 8(a) program, tribal subsidiaries have employed tribal members and put people to work across the U.S. and in places like Mexico and Afghanistan.

“It's opened the world to us and allowed us to shine,” Morgan told The Omaha World-Herald. “And it never would have been possible without these government contracts.”

But even though tribal businesses represent a small fraction of the government contracting industry, the 8(a) program is under attack from some Democrats in Congress. Morgan, who also serves as chairman of the Native American Contractors Association, said the efforts will result in tribes being locked out just as they are beginning to make gains in the program.

Ho-Chunk Inc owns Indianz.Com and its sister e-commerce site, AllNative.Com.

The hearing takes place at 2:15PM in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. A video feed is available on the committee website.

Get the Story:
CEO: Tribal contract program vital (The Omaha World-Herald 4/7)

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing on Promise Fulfilled: The Role of the SBA 8(a) Program in Enhancing Economic Development in Indian Country (April 7, 2011)

Related Stories:
Witness list for Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on 8(a) (4/5)
Kevin Abourezk: Lance Morgan to testify at Senate 8(a) hearing (4/4)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets hearing on 8(a) at SBA (3/31)