MEDIA ADVISORY

Secretary Norton to Swear In New Members of
National Indian Gaming Commission, Dec. 12

Swearing-in ceremony first ever held at NIGC headquarters

WASHINGTON- Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton will administer the oath of office to newly confirmed and appointed members of the National Indian Gaming Commission. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Commission headquarters in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002.

The National Indian Gaming Commission was created in 1988, when Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. An independent federal regulatory agency, NIGC is responsible for regulating gambling activities on Indian lands. It consists of three members, a chairman and two associate members. The chairman is appointed by the president, with the consent of the U.S. Senate, and the two associate members are appointed by the secretary of the Interior. Associate members do not require confirmation by the Senate. Commission members serve for a term of three years.

Who:        Gale A. Norton, Secretary of the Interior
                 Philip N. Hogen of South Dakota (Chairman)
                 Cloyce V. Choney of Oklahoma (Associate)
                 Nelson W. Westrin of Michigan (Associate)

What:      Swearing-in ceremony for new members of the National Indian Gaming
                Commission

When:     Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002

Time:      2 p.m. (EST)

Where:   National Indian Gaming Commission
                1441 L Street, N.W.

Location: 9^th Floor Conference Room
                Washington, D.C.

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