Notice of the Proposed Appointment of Elizabeth Lohah Homer to the National Indian Gaming Commission

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

National Indian Gaming Commission

Notice of the Proposed Appointment of Elizabeth Lohah Homer to

the National Indian Gaming Commission

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Indian Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. 2701 et. seq. provides

for a three person National Indian Gaming Commission. One member, the

chairman, is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of

the Senate. Two associate members are appointed by the Secretary of the

Interior. Prior to appointing members, the Secretary is required to

give public notice of a proposed appointment and allow for a comment

period. Notice is hereby given of the proposed appointment of Elizabeth

Lohah Homer as an associate member of the National Indian Gaming

Commission.

DATES: Comments must be received before or on December 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted to the Director, Office of

Executive Secretariat, United States Department of the Interior, 1849 C

Street, NW, Mail Stop 7229, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robert Moll, Assistant Solicitor, Division of General Law, Branch of

General Legal Services, United States Department of the Interior, 1849

C Street, NW, Mail Stop 6531, Washington, DC 20240; telephone 202-208-

5216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act establishes

the National Indian Gaming Commission (Commission), composed of three

full-time members; a chairman and two associate members. 25 U.S.C.

2704(b). Commission members serve for a term of three years. 25 U.S.C.

2704(b)(2)(4)(A). The chairman is appointed by the President with the

advice and consent of the Senate. 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(1)(A). The two

associate members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. 25

U.S.C. 2704(b)(1)(B). Prior to appointing an associate member to the

Commission, the Secretary is required to ``publish in the Federal

Register the name and other information the Secretary deems pertinent

regarding a nominee for membership on the Commission and shall allow a

period of not less than thirty days for receipt of public comment.'' 25

U.S.C. 2704(b)(2)(B). Notice is hereby given of

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the proposed appointment of Elizabeth Lohah Homer as an associate

member of the Commission for a term of three years.

Ms. Homer appears well-qualified to serve as an associate member of

the Commission. She has served as the Director, Office of American

Indian Trust, United States Department of the Interior, since December,

1994. In that capacity she has provided executive direction and

management over the development, coordination, and implementation of

Indian trust policies. Ms. Homer served as a Special Attorney in the

Criminal Division, United States Department of Justice from August,

1992 to December, 1994. Between October, 1989 and August, 1992 Ms.

Homer was an Assistant District Attorney, Violent Crimes Division,

Office of the District Attorney for the Second Judicial District of New

Mexico. Ms. Homer was the Deputy Director of Americans for Indian

Opportunity from January, 1982 to April, 1986. From August, 1980 to

December, 1981, Ms. Homer served as a Policy Analyst for the Council of

Energy Resource Tribes. She was a Tribal Programs Analyst for the Osage

Tribe of Oklahoma from July, 1979 to July, 1980.

Ms. Homer is a member of the Osage Tribe of Oklahoma. She received

a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of

Colorado in 1979. Ms. Homer also holds a Juris Doctor from the

University of New Mexico School of Law, awarded in 1989. Among Ms.

Homer's professional associations are membership in the State Bar of

New Mexico, the Federal Bar for the District of New Mexico and the

American Indian Law Enforcement Association. Ms. Homer does not appear

to have any financial interests that would make her ineligible to serve

on the Commission under 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(5)(B).

Any person wishing to submit comments on this proposed appointment

may submit written comments to the address listed above. Comments must

be received by the due date, which is 30 days from the date of the

publication of this notice.

Dated: November 6, 1998.

Edward B. Cohen,

Deputy Solicitor.

[FR Doc. 98-30376 Filed 11-12-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-02-M