The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), strongly supports the confirmation of Hazel O'Leary for Secretary of the US Department of Energy. Ms. O'Leary has been involved with energy matters at the national and local levels for many years. These experiences prepare her to guide the evolving demands upon the Energy Department into program policies which balance the need for adequate energy production with environmental and conservation safeguards. Ms. O'Leary has demonstrated strong leadership qualities through the years and an innate ability to motivate others to get things done prerequisites for heading a complex agency like DOE. The positions of increasing responsibility she has held in her career with DOE's predecessor agency, the Federal Energy Administration, DOE's Economic Regulatory Administration and now Northern States Power Company well prepare her to be an excellent Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. Today, with energy in the U.S. being at a crossroads, we must find creative ways to bring about needed change. We at AABE believe Ms. O'Leary possesses all the requisite tools to make this happen. The American Association of Blacks in Energy, now in its sixteenth year, is a national association of professionals dedicated to bringing an African-American perspective to the formation of U.S. energy policy. AABE provides input to numerous organizations and elected officials on current and emerging energy issues. AABE membership represent the full spectrum of energy resources. It's members come from the executive ranks of oil companies and utilities; industry trade associations; agencies and commissions of local, state and national governments; universities; consulting firms; entrepreneurial energy businesses; and other energy related areas. Its 900 members are organized into twenty-three chapters throughout the country. Page 2 AABE welcomes this opportunity to voice its support for Ms. O'Leary for Secretary of Energy. We believe that the development of domestic energy sources promotes the national interest in a stable and secure energy supply base, preserves energy related jobs at home, stabilizes the economy and helps the balance of trade. look forward to working closely with Ms. O'Leary and the new Administration to offer our support and perspective in policymaking and public outreach on vital energy issues. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Eεcade Erskine E. Cade R.L. Kiel Robert L. Hill We As indicated in our letter to you of January 7, 1993, a copy of Prairie Island Tribal Council Resolution No. 93-167 is enclosed herewith. That resolution formally requests an opportunity to provide testimony relative to designate O'Leary's confirmation hearing. We appreciate your consideration of the Tribe's request. If you have any questions or comments regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Prairie Island Tribal Council PRAIRIE ISLAND TRIBAL COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 93-_142 WHEREAS, The Prairie Island Indian Community in the State of Minnesota (sometimes referred to as the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Community) is organized under the provisions of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (48 Stat. 984), and is governed under the terms of the Constitution and By-laws adopted by the tribal members on May 23, 1936, and approved by the Secretary of the Interior on Juns 20, 1936; and WHEREAS, the said Constitution and By-laws provide that the Community Council (sometimes referred to as the Tribal Council), shall be the governing body for Prairie Island Indian Community (Article IV, Section 1); and WHEREAS, the Tribal Council maintains the authority under the Constitution and Bylaws to promulgate ordinances, resolutions, institute regulations, and confider various legal matters that fall within the authority of a federally recognized bidian Tribe, and WHEREAS, Tribal Council maintains the authority to negotiate with the Federal government on behalf of the Community; and WHEREAS, President-Elect Bill Clinton has designated Ms. Hazel O'Leary to be Secretary of the Department of Energy, and WHEREAS, Secretary-Designate Hazel O'Leary has been employed for the last few years by Northern States Power Company, a power utility, which owns and operates amdear generating facility directly adjacent to the Prairie Island Indian Reservation; and WHEREAS, Northern States Power Company has proposed to construct and operate a high-level nuclear waste storage facility at its Prairie Island nuclear facility and the Community has actively participated in the federal and state pvemmental Hicensing processes through which Northern States fower Company has submitted its nuclear waste storage proposal; and |