CRIMINAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

SUPPORTING AMERICAN INDIAN APPOINTMENTS AT HIGHEST LEVELS

WHEREAS, members of American Indian tribes have increasingly become community activists and leaders in our cities and states; and

WHEREAS, an American Indian now serves in the United States Senate for the first time since the 1920s and for the first time chairs the Indian Affairs Committee, several American Indians have been appointed to regional federal leadership positions in recent years, and several serve in state legislatures; and

WHEREAS, participation in government at the highest levels by members of ethnic groups in our society provides role models for others within those groups as well as public focus on the talents and expertise of the individuals who hold specialized positions in areas of finance, economic development, telecommunications, education, and business; and

WHEREAS, very few American Indians have been appointed to the most important commissions or to the Cabinet offices in the federal government, for instance the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has never included an American Indian appointee,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the President of the United States to seek qualified American Indian candidates for appointments and make certain that these individuals are appointed to the important specialized commissions within our government, for example, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and/or the U.S. International Trade Commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the contributions of American Indians to the leadership of our nation’s cities and participation in the economic, educational and social fabric of our communities.