Senate confirms Rosebud Sioux woman to HHS position
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Filed Under:
Health
|
Politics
By unanimous consent, the
Senate on Wednesday night confirmed Lillian Sparks as Commissioner of the
Administration for
Native Americans, which is part of the
Department of Health and Human Services.
Sparks is a member of the
Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. She is an attorney who has served as executive director of the
National Indian Education
Association since 2004. She also worked for the
National Congress of American
Indians and the
National
Indian Gaming Association.
"I am pleased that the Senate has confirmed Lillian Sparks for this position in the Department of Health and Human Services,” said
Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota), who sits on the
Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “As a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, she has a unique understanding of the needs of American Indians in South Dakota and around the country.”
The ANA provides financial assistance, training, and technical assistance to tribes, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. It also oversees grants for the Esther Martinez Native Language program.
Sparks is the ninth Native woman who has been appointed or nominated to a top position with the Obama administration.
Related Stories:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee meeting and
hearing (2/3)
Lakota woman goes for
Senate confirmation hearing (01/28)
Senate confirmation hearing for Lillian Sparks at
HHS (1/25)
Lillian Sparks, Lakota,
nominated to top HHS job (10/26)
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