Navajo Nation Council overrides two vetoes during June 3 Special Session

WINDOW ROCK -- The Navajo Nation Council passed two veto overrides during the special session held on June 3.

Legislation No. 0339-05, sponsored by Curran Hannon (St. Michaels/Oak Springs) was the first item under new business on the agenda. The legislation -- which passed by a vote of 67 in favor and 2 opposed -- overrides the president's veto of Resolution No. CAP-20-05. With today's action, funds will be appropriated to the Ethics and Rules Office, the public employment program and the animal control program totaling $3,327,546.26.

The second override that passed today was Legislation No. 0343-05, sponsored by Larry Anderson, Sr. (Fort Defiance). The legislation overrides the president's veto of the DinŽ Marriage Act of 2005. Leo R. Begay (Chinle) made the motion and David Tom (Beclabito/Gadiiahi) made the second. The vote was 62 in favor and 14 opposed.

The Council also voted to reauthorize existing Public Law 93-638 health care contracts: Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, Winslow Indian Health Care Center, and Utah Navajo Health Systems, Inc. The approved legislation also authorizes the Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado as a tribal organization for the purpose of managing and operating contracts with the Indian Health Services. The Council met in a work session yesterday to discuss this particular legislation.

While the legislation asked to reauthorize the contracts for an indefinite period, an amendment made by Ben Shelly (Thoreau) and seconded by Hope MacDonald LoneTree (Coalmine Canyon/Toh Nanees Dizi) passed that limits the reauthorization period to 15 years. The final vote of the legislation, which was sponsored by Health and Social Services Committee Vice Chairperson Evelyn Acothley (Bodaway-Gap-Cameron/Coppermine), was 65 in favor and 13 opposed.

The last item the Council considered was an emergency measure to enact the Farm Board Vacancy Prevention Act of 2005 sponsored by Wallace Charley (Shiprock). It passed with one amendment by a vote of 62 in favor and 9 opposed.

After Council adjourned, Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan (Iyanbito/Pinedale) hosted a luncheon to show appreciation for state leaders on behalf of the Council. New Mexico House of Representatives Majority Floor Leader W. Ken Martinez, Arizona House of Representatives Majority Leader Stephen Tully, President of the Arizona State Senate Ken Bennett, Arizona Representatives Albert Tom and Ann Kirkpatrick, Arizona Senator Albert Hale and representatives from New Mexico Representative Patricia Lundstrom and New Mexico Congressman Tom Udall attended the luncheon.

"We have come together to continue with our dialogue that aims to address many issues to serve the citizens of the Navajo Nation, who are also citizens of the states of Arizona, New Mexico or Utah," Speaker Morgan said during his welcome remarks. "I believe we have a mutual interest to elevate the issues and concerns of the individuals that live within the state borders and on Indian reservation land."

The delegates also heard remarks from Bennett, Tully and Martinez during the luncheon.

Martinez joked that he had two Navajo names -- Marty Nez and Half Buckle. Half Buckle came from his friend Council delegate David Rico (Pueblo Pintado/Torreon/Whitehorse Lake) who said that when Martinez was running for office, his full buckle could be seen, but after being in office, only half his buckle could now be seen.

Tully said he had heard of generous Navajo hospitality and was now glad to be a recipient of it. The delegates laughed when he said the speaker's office was so much help that when he called, someone actually named Help-Tulley was there specifically for him. He was referring to the speaker's staff assistant Leila Help-Tulley, who was the mistress of ceremony.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read