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Chairman Levings releases statement regarding Senator Byron Dorgan’s (D-ND) announcement to not seek re-election in 2010 “On behalf of the Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council and the people of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara I would like to extend my congratulations to ND Senator Byron Dorgan on an exemplary career of public service to the people of North Dakota and all American citizens,” said Chairman Marcus D. Levings of the Three Affiliated Tribes. In regards to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Indian Country will lose a great champion of American Indian issues; North Dakota Tribes in particular will lose a dear friend. In September 2008, Senator Dorgan visited the Fort Berthold Reservation to address water issues, participate in a Fallen Soldiers Memorial Monument dedication, and also received a traditional Mandan name from tribal elder Edwin Benson, the single remaining fluent speaker of the Mandan language. Senator Dorgan’s traditional Mandan name is “Numak aki Kikute,” which translates to “Helps the People.” During this particular ceremony, Chairman Levings stated: “Senator Dorgan, your name Numak aki Kikute is a great honor to be held within the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara of the Three Affiliated Tribes. You are truly revered and respected and our prayers are with you in working towards the betterment of our people’s needs within the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and throughout the United States.” “In addition, since Dorgan began his term as the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in 2007, the Three Tribes are appreciative of his commitment and efforts to assist us specifically on issues pertaining to Health, Law Enforcement, Transportation and Energy Development.” GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS May 1985 Dorgan assisted with the JOINT TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (JTAC) which was established by the Secretary of the Interior to replace what was destroyed by the creation of the Garrison Dam on the Fort Berthold Reservation which totaled $149.2 Million. October 1997 FORT BERTHOLD RESERVATION MINERAL RIGHTS LEASING Senate Bill 1079 – legislation introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan, along with his colleague Senator Kent Conrad to promote economic development on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. From July 2007 – January 2010 total oil & gas lease signing bonuses totaled $179,284,482.73 Dec. 2000 The DAKOTA WATER RESOURCES ACT was passed – the Fort Berthold Rural Water Program and the Three Affiliated Tribes Business Council were able to begin essential and necessary work to build a rural water supply system to the residents of Fort Berthold which accounted for approximately $80 million in funding sources. October 2005 The new one-mile long FOUR BEARS BRIDGE DEDICATION took place on the Fort Berthold Reservation which Dorgan was a strong advocate of, along with Senator Kent Conrad, and Representative Earl Pomeroy. The total constructions costs were an estimated $50 million. April 2008 Senator Dorgan arranges for special meeting of Presidential Democratic Candidate Barack Obama with North Dakota Tribal Leaders in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Dec. 2008 Senator Dorgan along with ND Senator Kent Conrad and ND Representative Earl Pomeroy assists with KEMPTHORNE AGREEMENT REQUEST TO OPEN FORT BERTHOLD OIL & GAS ONE-STOP SHOP to expedite leasing and issuing of permits for oil and gas development on the reservation October 2009 Official groundbreaking of the ELBOWOODS MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTER, a $21 million facility which Senator Dorgan, Senator Kent Conrad, and Representative Earl Pomeroy also advocated for. -END-
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