The Navajo Nation Council re-elected Edward T. Begay to a two-year term as speaker. After a vote by secret ballot, the council confirmed his selection by a vote of 70 to 1 with two abstentions. Speaker Begay, of the Todichi’iinii (Bitter Water) and Tl’ogi (Weaver-Zia) Clans, represents the Bread Springs and Churchrock Chapters in the Eastern Agency of the nation. He was elected to his first term as speaker in 1999. “For the last 33 years, I have devoted my life to public service on behalf of the Navajo people,” Speaker Begay said. “I am truly humbled and honored that members of the 19th Navajo Nation Council affirmed their confidence in my leadership.” He said the next two years of his administration will focus on new and ongoing issues including the appropriation of undesignated reserves, use of proceeds from the Permanent Trust Fund and implementation of the Local Governance Act and Navajo Common Law. Another priority is to establish respectful and productive relationships with President George W. Bush and the 107th Congress, he said. Begay was the only delegate of the Navajo Nation Council to declare his candidacy by the Jan. 10 deadline. The position is put to a vote every two years.
Earlier Navajo Vice President Taylor McKenzie indicated that even though he might be considered for a federal appointment in the Bush administration, his plans are to remain in his office in the nation. “It is my understanding that suggestions and inquiries have been made on my behalf, and I am honored and humbled at the same time by these actions, however, I have no plans to leave my post as vice president of the Navajo Nation. Early on, upon assuming office as vice president, I made strong commitments to this administration and to the People of the Navajo Nation who put me in office. I intend to keep these commitments prior to any suggestion that I pursue another career or continue my career as a physician. I am very proud of the work and accomplishments of the Begaye/McKenzie administration, and I feel, with great enthusiasm and optimism, that while there is much work to be completed, they will be completed. Not to be a conscious part of this trend of success and achievements would be a disservice to myself and my sense of fulfillment as well as to this administration and to the Navajo people in the face of assurances made.”
