April 6, 2016

 

Diné College to Testify in Washington on Behalf of College Act

Diné College Acting President Martin Ahumada will testify in front of the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on April 13, 2016 in Washington, DC.  The Committee will hear testimony in support of legislation to authorize the Diné College Act of 2016.
 
U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) joined Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) to introduce the bipartisan Diné College Act into legislation on February 23, 2016.

The bill authorizes a long-term funding mechanism to support operational funding; a much needed facilities studies; along with additional funding for construction projects at the College's two campuses and four satellite campuses, which spans 26,000 square miles of the Navajo Nation. The Act of 2016 replaces the Navajo Nation Higher Education Act, which expired in 2014.

Dr. Ahumada will provide written and oral testimony to the Senate Committee with the support of Diné College Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs Marie Etsitty-Nez. The Committee is responsible for gathering background information on all legislation proposed by members of the Senate that specifically pertains to American Indians, Native Hawaiians, or Alaska Natives is under the Committee's jurisdiction.

Following the hearing, the Committee will submit the testimony, with possible revisions of the bill, back to the full Senate for consideration of enactment of the bill into law.