U.S. Department of the Interior

Office of the Special Trust for American Indians

July 30, 2002

Statement of Tom Slonaker on his Resignation as Special Trustee for American Indians

Since I was confirmed in June 2000, I have had the opportunity to work with many people within both the Clinton and Bush Administrations and the Indian Community who are committed to trust reform. I believe that the Department is working to effectively fulfill the Secretary's fiduciary trust responsibility with respect to the Indian trust assets for which the Department is responsible. I hope that the future discussions with the Tribal Task Force will continue to focus on establishing the necessary strong leadership and accountability for trust asset management within the Department.

In my time as Special Trustee, I have worked diligently to highlight a number of important issues that must be resolved for trust reform to be successful in the long term.

I wish the Administration and particularly Ms. Donna Erwin, who will assume the position of Acting Special Trustee, much success in the future.

-DOI-