U.S. Department of the InteriorDOI News Header
Office of the Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2006
Contacts:
Shawn Pensoneau, 202-632-7003
or Frank Quimby, 202-208-7291

Secretary Kempthorne Proposes the Appointment of Norm DesRosiers for National Indian Gaming Commission

WASHINGTON – Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne today proposed the appointment of Norm DesRosiers, a veteran Tribal gaming regulator, as an associate member of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

The proposal requires a 30-day public comment period which began today with the publication of a notice in the Federal Register. If appointed, DesRosiers would begin his three-year term in mid-January, 2007.

“Norm’s years of experience in shaping Tribal gaming regulations will be a major asset to National Indian Gaming Commission,” Kempthorne said. “I believe he’ll make an outstanding contribution at the federal level to protecting the interests of Tribes engaged in Tribal Governmental Gaming.”

DesRosiers serves on several gaming related boards and associations, including the North American Gaming Regulators Association, as chairman of its Indian Gaming Committee. He also is chairman and former vice chairman of the National Tribal Gaming Commissioners/Regulators Organizations and an associate member of the International Masters of Gaming Law. DesRosiers has served on two advisory committees of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

“I am truly honored by the Secretary Kempthorne’s proposed nomination,“ DesRosiers said. “It’s been rewarding to have been able to shape and influence state and federal regulations and legislation at the Tribal level and I now look forward to contributing more at the Federal level.”

DesRosiers is currently commissioner of the Viejas Gaming Commission, a position to which he was first appointed in 1998. He wrote the commission’s ordinances and regulations and developed an organization with 50 regulators and a $4 million budget. From 1994 to 1998, DesRosiers was executive director of the San Carlos Apache Tribal Gaming Commission, which he also established, promulgating regulations and hiring and training inspectors and support staff.

He also served as supervisor of inspectors at the Fort McDowell Gaming Commission. From 1982 to 1984, DesRosiers owned and managed a private investigation firm. He served at the Lynnwood, Washington Police Department from 1970 to 1979, concluding his service as a sergeant. He received a bachelor’s degree in law and justice from the Central Washington State University in 1975. DesRosiers served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970, earning the rank of Sergeant.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act provides for a three-person National Indian Gaming Commission. 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. Before appointing members, the Secretary is required to provide public notice of a proposed appointment and allow a comment period.

Comments on DesRosiers’ proposed appointment must be received before or on January 5, 2007 and 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 Tim Murphy, assistant solicitor, Division of General Law, Branch of General Legal Services, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, MS 7315, Washington, DC 20240; or call 202-208-5216.

 
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