Larry Echo Hawk Sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
June 26, 2009
Narrator: Representatives from several tribes and Native organizations were on hand in Washington D.C. for the ceremonial swearing in of Larry Echo Hawk, an enrolled member of the Pawnee tribe of Oklahoma as the Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.
Secretary Salazar: “Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk.” –Applause –
Narrator: In his remarks Interior Secretary Ken Salazar spoke of the administrations commitment to the first Americans.
Secretary Salazar: “President Obama spoke eloquently to me about his personal commitment to the first Americans of the United States of America. And he said we will work to make sure that we deliver first on the promises to the Native American community that he made during the campaign.”
Narrator: Assistant Secretary Echo Hawk expressed gratitude for being part of an historical moment.
Assistant Secretary Echo Hawk: “… Because I believe in President Obama and Secretary Salazar, and the United States Congress that we are in a historic moment; it may not be here again. I don’t know how long it’s going to last, but things are lined up just right to do something special, something magical and I am grateful to be a part of that.”
Narrator: Echo Hawk’s is a former Attorney General for the state of Idaho and a law professor for Brigham Young University.