Brewer congratulated by Navajo contingency

<i>Photo courtesy of Mark Butler</i><br>
From left to right: Eric Descheenie, legislative staff assistant from the Navajo Office of the Speaker; Gov. Jan Brewer; and Council Delegate-elect Jonathan Hale at Gov. Brewer’s 2011 State of Arizona Inauguration Ceremony.

<i>Photo courtesy of Mark Butler</i><br> From left to right: Eric Descheenie, legislative staff assistant from the Navajo Office of the Speaker; Gov. Jan Brewer; and Council Delegate-elect Jonathan Hale at Gov. Brewer’s 2011 State of Arizona Inauguration Ceremony.

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Navajo Nation Council Delegate-elect Jonathan Hale recently congratulated Gov. Janice K. Brewer for becoming Arizona's 22nd Governor at the 2011 State of Arizona Inauguration Ceremony.

"I would like to thank Gov. Brewer for her efforts in what she has done for the Navajo people," said Mr. Hale, who will represent the communities of Oak Springs and St. Michaels, Ariz., as a Council delegate. "She has proven to be an advocate and friend to the Navajo Nation and for that we are thankful. Congratulations to our new governor, and we wish her safety and prosperity as we tackle critical issues moving forward."

Since Gov. Brewer took the reigns of the state gubernatorial office in January 2009, the Navajo Nation has made an effort to create and maintain a spirit of cooperation with the governor's administration. Such cooperative efforts, among many others, include a Navajo Nation endorsement of the governor's one cent sales tax initiative through Proposition 100, which was recently approved by Arizona voters in May. With the approval of Proposition 100, the state will utilize new state revenue over the next three years to help defray the state budget deficit of nearly $1 billion.

As the state head, Gov. Brewer has delivered support to the Navajo Nation in a variety of ways, including two special visits to the Navajo Nation. On one of her trips, the governor signed the Diné College-State of Arizona Compact, which sends $10.75 million of State Transaction Privilege Taxes to Diné College. On another visit, she offered political support for Navajo Nation gaming development, and most recently a $200,000 discretionary grant to the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.

Mr. Hale's message to Gov. Brewer remained consistent with the actions of the current Navajo Nation Council.

"I commend the work of the 21st Navajo Nation Council, particularly the efforts of Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan and members of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee Task Force on State Affairs," said Hale. "The IGR Taskforce on States Affairs built a strong relationship with Gov. Brewer and her administration that the 22nd Navajo Nation Council can continue to build upon for the welfare of our Navajo people and Arizona citizens."

Eric Descheenie, legislative staff assistant for the Navajo Office of the Speaker, represented the Navajo Nation Legislative Branch at the governor's inauguration.

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