Five former U.S. Attorneys, including two tribal members, are supporting Kevin Washburn to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.

Washburn, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, served as a federal prosecutor in New Mexico. His public safety and criminal justice experience will help the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the former US. Attorneys said in a letter to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

"Public safety in Indian country is not a partisan issue, but an issue that all of us face," the letter states. They say Washburn "could make positive contributions to meeting our responsibility to improve criminal justice for some of our most vulnerable populations in the United States."

The former U.S. Attorneys who signed the letter all served under Republican presidents. They are: Diane Humetewa, a member of the Hopi Tribe; Phil Hogen, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe; Thomas Heffelfinger; Troy Eid and Robert McCampell.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is holding a confirmation hearing for Washburn tomorrow afternoon.

Get the Story:
INTERIOR CANDIDATE TO APPEAR (KOKC 9/13)
UNM Law School Dean in D.C. Hearing (AP 9/12)
OU grad poised for senate confirmation (The Norman Transcript 9/11)

Committee Notice:
The President's Nomination of Kevin K. Washburn to be Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior (September 14, 2012)

Relevant Documents:
White House Announcement | Letter to Law School | UNM Press Release | DOI Press Release | Sen. Bingaman | Sen. Tom Udall

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