Lawrence T. Morgan
Encyclopedia
Lawrence T. Morgan is the current Speaker of the Navajo Nation Tribal Council
.
He was first elected in January 2003 by then the 20th Navajo Nation Council. Current Navajo law requires a Speaker to serve two years per term. He was re-elected in 2005 to a second term, and in January 2007 he was elected to a third consecutive term defeating fellow councilmen Harold Wauneka of Fort Defiance, Arizona
.
within five miles (8 km) of two uranium mines
. New Mexico
had been a significant uranium producer since the discovery of uranium by Navajo sheepherder Paddy Martinez
in 1950. Uranium in New Mexico is almost all in the Grants mineral belt, along the south margin of the San Juan Basin in McKinley
and Cibola
counties, in the northwest part of the state. Stretching northwest to southeast, the mineral belt contains the Chuska, Gallup, Ambrosia Lake, and the Laguna uranium mining districts.
Lawrence's own father spent some time working in the uranium mines, but for Morgan, that was never an option. While his father’s work often took him away from home, Morgan’s mother took care of the five children.
The Speaker comes from a family of artistic talents. In addition to his talent as a silversmith, Morgan sang with his roommate’s band in high school. His own son and daughter learned to play guitar using the very same guitar that Morgan’s father bought him at Montgomery Wards in the 1960s. Mr. Morgan also paints and draws cartoons.
in Gallup, N.M.
, studying photography. He eventually attended Dine’ College in 1981, where he started taking classes in Navajo government. Morgan never graduated from a higher education facility but worked as a rodeo arena announcer.
In 1991, Morgan was elected to the Navajo Nation Council
and served on the Government Services Committee. In 1995, he started serving as Chairperson of the Transportation and Community Development Committee. He was first selected as Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council by his peers on the Council on Jan. 27, 2003, and reselected for another two-year term on Jan. 24, 2005.
Mr. Morgan has represented the Pinedale and Iyanbito Chapters for 12 years. He says the reason he gets re-elected is because he listens to the people.
Morgan is a proponent of codifying Navajo Nation Fundamental Law, an initiative that began with the former Speaker.
.
Navajo Council Speaker Morgan struck Maryboy in the chest in the Navajo Chamber's men's bathroom after Maryboy made a complaint to the speaker that he didn't help Maryboy bring up legislation that had been skipped over earlier that day.
The item—formal condolences to the family of late Council Delegate
Curley John of Aneth
, whose family was in the gallery—was skipped because Maryboy was out of the Council Chambers dealing with Constituents.
Maryboy tried later to put the item back on the agenda but was ruled out of order, the paper reported
Aneth Chapter
members had demanded Morgan issue a public apology, following the bathroom scuffle, during one of Aneth's monthly chapter meetings in Utah. Speaker Morgan ignored the Aneth meeting, overall never presenting himself. Investigators attempted to contact Morgan the following days after the incident. Public safety officials said that they believe Morgan stayed off the reservation to avoid possible arrest.
Documentaries, topic pages and databases
Navajo Tribal Council
The Navajo Nation Council is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation government. As stipulated in the Navajo Nation Code, "The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council...
.
He was first elected in January 2003 by then the 20th Navajo Nation Council. Current Navajo law requires a Speaker to serve two years per term. He was re-elected in 2005 to a second term, and in January 2007 he was elected to a third consecutive term defeating fellow councilmen Harold Wauneka of Fort Defiance, Arizona
Fort Defiance, Arizona
Fort Defiance is a census-designated place in Apache County, Arizona, United States. The population was 4,061 at the 2000 census.- History :...
.
Life and family
Morgan was born and raised in Pinedale, New MexicoPinedale, New Mexico
Pinedale is an unincorporated community in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States . Its Navajo name is .It was the home of Hastiin Jeff King, a Navajo singer .-Notable residents:...
within five miles (8 km) of two uranium mines
Uranium mining in the United States
Uranium mining in the United States is the extraction of uranium-bearing ore from the earth. While uranium is used primarily for nuclear power, uranium mining had its roots in the production of uranium-bearing ore in 1898 with the mining of carnotite-bearing sandstones of the Colorado Plateau in...
. New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
had been a significant uranium producer since the discovery of uranium by Navajo sheepherder Paddy Martinez
Paddy Martinez
Patricio "Paddy" Martinez , American prospector and shepherd, discovered uranium at Haystack Mountain, near Grants, New Mexico in 1950. This was the first discovery in the Grants Uranium District, and led to a uranium boom that lasted almost 30 years.Martinez's discovery, on Santa Fe Railroad land,...
in 1950. Uranium in New Mexico is almost all in the Grants mineral belt, along the south margin of the San Juan Basin in McKinley
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and Cibola
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
counties, in the northwest part of the state. Stretching northwest to southeast, the mineral belt contains the Chuska, Gallup, Ambrosia Lake, and the Laguna uranium mining districts.
Lawrence's own father spent some time working in the uranium mines, but for Morgan, that was never an option. While his father’s work often took him away from home, Morgan’s mother took care of the five children.
The Speaker comes from a family of artistic talents. In addition to his talent as a silversmith, Morgan sang with his roommate’s band in high school. His own son and daughter learned to play guitar using the very same guitar that Morgan’s father bought him at Montgomery Wards in the 1960s. Mr. Morgan also paints and draws cartoons.
Education
After graduating from Fort Wingate High School in 1972, Morgan spent some time at University of New MexicoUniversity of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
in Gallup, N.M.
Gallup, New Mexico
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 20,209 people, 6,810 households, and 4,869 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,513.7 people per square mile...
, studying photography. He eventually attended Dine’ College in 1981, where he started taking classes in Navajo government. Morgan never graduated from a higher education facility but worked as a rodeo arena announcer.
Public service
It was in the 1980s that Speaker Morgan became interested in serving the public by working in government. He became Chapter Manager of Pinedale Chapter in 1981 and continued to 1983. Morgan served as Secretary/Treasurer of Pinedale Chapter from 1983 to 1987. He then served as Chapter President from 1987 to 1990.In 1991, Morgan was elected to the Navajo Nation Council
Navajo Tribal Council
The Navajo Nation Council is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation government. As stipulated in the Navajo Nation Code, "The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council...
and served on the Government Services Committee. In 1995, he started serving as Chairperson of the Transportation and Community Development Committee. He was first selected as Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council by his peers on the Council on Jan. 27, 2003, and reselected for another two-year term on Jan. 24, 2005.
Mr. Morgan has represented the Pinedale and Iyanbito Chapters for 12 years. He says the reason he gets re-elected is because he listens to the people.
Controversy
Morgan has been involved with several controversial deals, including highly suspect engagements with Texas billionaire Red "BJ" McCombs and longhorn cattle. McCombs, known for his bankrolling of a young former US president George W. Bush and former bug-killer/ congressman Tom Delay, attempted to use surrogates to acquire 50000 acres (202.3 km²) of land surrounding Navajo Canyon on Lake Powell for use by wealthy non-Navajos. The move, according to the Navajo Times, was not popular but fought by local Dine' residents who cherish culture over money. Morgan was asked to discuss his meetings with McCombs by a unanimous LeChee Chapter but never showed for the local meetings.Navajo issues
Speaker Morgan’s legislative priorities include enhancing the Local Governance Certification process and water issues. He also pledges to provide for automation and improved records management, to improve media and public relations, and to provide for adequate office and meeting space for the Legislative Branch.Morgan is a proponent of codifying Navajo Nation Fundamental Law, an initiative that began with the former Speaker.
Navajo Nation Council assault
In April 2006, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Lawrence Morgan faced a charge of criminal battery when he struck Council Delegate Mark MaryboyMark Maryboy
Mark Maryboy was an American politician for San Juan County, Utah, and a former Navajo Nation Council Delegate for the Utah Navajo Section of the Navajo Tribe. He is the brother of Kenneth Maryboy who currently serves in the positions he once stood...
.
Navajo Council Speaker Morgan struck Maryboy in the chest in the Navajo Chamber's men's bathroom after Maryboy made a complaint to the speaker that he didn't help Maryboy bring up legislation that had been skipped over earlier that day.
The item—formal condolences to the family of late Council Delegate
Navajo Tribal Council
The Navajo Nation Council is the legislative branch of the Navajo Nation government. As stipulated in the Navajo Nation Code, "The Legislative Branch shall consist of the Navajo Nation Council and any entity established under the Navajo Nation Council...
Curley John of Aneth
Aneth, Utah
Aneth is a census-designated place in San Juan County, Utah, United States. The population was 598 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Aneth is located at ....
, whose family was in the gallery—was skipped because Maryboy was out of the Council Chambers dealing with Constituents.
Maryboy tried later to put the item back on the agenda but was ruled out of order, the paper reported
Aneth Chapter
Aneth, Utah
Aneth is a census-designated place in San Juan County, Utah, United States. The population was 598 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Aneth is located at ....
members had demanded Morgan issue a public apology, following the bathroom scuffle, during one of Aneth's monthly chapter meetings in Utah. Speaker Morgan ignored the Aneth meeting, overall never presenting himself. Investigators attempted to contact Morgan the following days after the incident. Public safety officials said that they believe Morgan stayed off the reservation to avoid possible arrest.
See also
- KTNN RadioKTNNKTNN is a Navajo language AM radio station broadcasting from Window Rock, Arizona, the seat of the government of the Navajo Nation. It broadcasts Navajo tribal music and audio from Navajo ceremonial dances and Native American music, as well as country music and bluegrass in English...
- Navajo languageNavajo languageNavajo or Navaho is an Athabaskan language spoken in the southwestern United States. It is geographically and linguistically one of the Southern Athabaskan languages .Navajo has more speakers than any other Native American language north of the...
- Navajo peopleNavajo peopleThe Navajo of the Southwestern United States are the largest single federally recognized tribe of the United States of America. The Navajo Nation has 300,048 enrolled tribal members. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the...
- Navajo RugNavajo rugNavajo rugs and blankets are textiles produced by Navajo people of the Four Corners area of the United States. Navajo textiles are highly regarded and have been sought after as trade items for over 150 years. Commercial production of handwoven blankets and rugs has been an important element of the...
- Supreme Court of the Navajo NationSupreme Court of the Navajo NationThe Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation is the highest judicial Native American authority of the Navajo Nation, the largest American Indian nation in the United States...
- Uranium mining in the United StatesUranium mining in the United StatesUranium mining in the United States is the extraction of uranium-bearing ore from the earth. While uranium is used primarily for nuclear power, uranium mining had its roots in the production of uranium-bearing ore in 1898 with the mining of carnotite-bearing sandstones of the Colorado Plateau in...
- University of New MexicoUniversity of New MexicoThe University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
External links
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