Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan today announced his intention to appoint Joel Matthew Frank, Sr., a Seminole from Hollywood, Florida, to serve on the newly-created National Indian Gaming Commission.
"Joel Frank is extremely well-qualified for the demanding tasks involved in establishing the National Indian Gaming Commission," Lujan said. "His experience as Vice Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association will be an especially important asset in helping build a framework for successful operation of the Commission."
The Commission is being established in accordance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (P.L. 100-497) enacted by the 100th Congress. The three-member commission will regulate, establish standards for, and monitor gaming on Indian lands and reservations. The public will have 30 days to comment on the selection before it can be made official by Lujan. Earlier this year, President Bush nominated and the U.S Senate confirmed Tony Hope to serve as chairman of the commission. Under the Act, the Secretary of the Interior names the other two members of the Commission, but must allow for a comment period after announcing his choice. Lujan said he is close to selecting the third and final member.
Frank, an enrolled member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, has been Executive Administrator of that tribal government since 1982. Previous to that he served as Assistant Health Director and as a health planner for his tribe. From 1975-1979, Frank was the health administrator for the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida. Currently, he is President of the United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.; Vice Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, and a member of the Florida Governor's Council on Indian Affairs. He also has served as Vice President and Secretary of the United South College and St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla. Comments on the nomination should be addressed to Morris Simms, Director of Personnel, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20240.
