Representative Gerry Connolly

"As an Indigenous woman, [Rep. Haaland's] nomination would be historically important, and she would bring perspective and direct experience to the work of serving Tribal communities in a way no office holder has before her."

- Reps. Connolly & Tonko in a letter to President-elect Biden

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you all are continuing to stay safe and healthy. As we celebrate the Holidays, I can't stress enough the importance of avoiding large gatherings and wearing a mask. We have made it this far, and we can't afford to let our guard down now.

There is plenty of fear and worry in the world right now. So, today, I just want to briefly share with you a piece of good news that makes me hopeful for what the future has in store for the United States.

Last month, as Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC), Rep. Paul Tonko and I wrote to President-elect Biden to urge him to nominate our colleague and fellow SEEC member, Rep. Deb Haaland, as Secretary of the Interior. So, on Saturday, I was thrilled to watch her accept President-elect Biden's nomination for the position. If she's confirmed, she would be the first Native American Cabinet secretary in American history.

Rep. Haaland's nomination marks a long-overdue turning point in the federal government's relationship with Tribes. For far too long, Indigenous communities have suffered from mistreatment, oppression, and neglect at the hands of the federal government. Finally, the department responsible for protecting and improving the lives of Indigenous people in America will be led by a fierce advocate who has spent a lifetime doing just that.

You can read my letter to President-elect Biden here and below.

"As a New Mexican, Congresswoman Haaland understands the West and the challenges it faces, a critically important qualification given the significant amount of land managed by the Interior Department in the Western United States. As an Indigenous woman, her nomination would be historically important, and she would bring perspective and direct experience to the work of serving Tribal communities in a way no office holder has before her.”

- Reps. Connolly & Tonko

Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and remember that my office is here to help. Be sure to visit the COVID-19 page on my website for more information and resources. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.

Sincerely,

Gerald E. Connolly
Member of Congress