EchoHawk extolled in hearing

A parade of U.S. senators praised Larry EchoHawk as if he were Superman Thursday during his confirmation hearing to possibly head the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Then they said he may need superpowers to address the poverty, unemployment, poor schools, crime and substance abuse too common in Indian country.

EchoHawk, 60, a Pawnee who is a law professor at Brigham Young University and a former attorney general of Idaho, pledged to do his best if confirmed.

"I know this is a difficult job," he told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. "But I pledge to you to work tirelessly and faithfully in executing my responsibilities … to truly make a difference in the lives of people in need."

EchoHawk hit one snag in an otherwise smooth hearing. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the recent GOP presidential nominee and former chairman of the committee, attacked EchoHawk for saying he did not know much about Indian gaming and the problems it may create, and EchoHawk said that he needs to study it more before offering opinions.

"That is not a very good answer, sir," McCain said, adding that he wants better written answers from EchoHawk before he would vote to confirm him. McCain seeks answers on such issues as whether tribes should be allowed to build casinos outside of reservations and whether Indian gaming is sufficiently regulated.

That came after EchoHawk's nomination had been delayed for months because some tribes initially had questioned whether he would support Indian gaming.

When he was Idaho's attorney general, he angered some tribes after Idaho had passed a constitutional amendment to allow a lottery with a promise the state would not allow other gambling forms. When federal officials said the amendment's loose wording should allow tribal casinos anyway, EchoHawk's office suggested a special legislative session to fix it.

But most of the hearing focused on what EchoHawk said are more pressing issues, as senators from both parties (except McCain) said EchoHawk offers the best hope in many years to fix them.

With tears in his eyes, EchoHawk said, "I remember the many times that I have been in Indian-reservation communities. In my mind's eye, I can see the faces of people, people that I love and care for, that suffered the effects of poverty." He said education may offer them a way up and out of such travails.

"My family has been blessed with education," he said, as his three sons who also are lawyers sat behind him. "I would see it as my responsibility to do everything I can to see that every American Indian and Alaska native receive an opportunity for a quality education and a good job and economic prosperity."