He was first elected in January 2003 by then the 20th Navajo Nation Council. Current Navajo law requires a Speaker to serve two years per term. He was re-elected in 2005 to a second term,and in January 2007 he was elected to a third consecutive term defeating fellow councilmen Harold Wauneka of Fort Defiance,Arizona. In January 2009 he was once again re-elected to lead the Navajo Nation Council,after beating fellow council member Leonard Tsosie (Whitehorse Lake/Torreon/Counselor).
Life and family
Lawrence Tom Morgan was born and raised in Pinedale,New Mexico within five miles (8km) of two uranium mines. New Mexico had been a significant uranium producer since the discovery of uranium by Navajo sheepherder Paddy Martinez in 1950. Uranium in New Mexico is almost all in the Grants mineral belt,along the south margin of the San Juan Basin in McKinley and Cibola counties,in the northwest part of the state. Stretching northwest to southeast,the mineral belt contains the Chuska,Gallup,Ambrosia Lake, and the Laguna uranium mining districts.
Lawrence's own father spent some time working in the uranium mines,but for Morgan,that was never an option. While his father's work often took him away from home,Morgan's mother took care of the five children. Lawrence also has other siblings who are active with Navajo Nation they are Anslem,and Louise Mariano.
The Speaker comes from a family of artistic talents. In addition to his talent as a silversmith,Morgan sang with his roommate's band in high school. His own son and daughter learned to play guitar using the very same guitar that Morgan's father bought him at Montgomery Wards in the 1960s. Mr. Morgan also paints and draws cartoons.
Education
After graduating from Fort Wingate High School in 1972,Morgan spent some time at University of New Mexico in Gallup,N.M.,studying photography. He eventually attended Dine’College in 1981,where he started taking classes in Navajo government. Morgan never graduated from a higher education facility but worked as a rodeo arena announcer.
Public service
It was in the 1980s that Speaker Morgan became interested in serving the public by working in government. He became Chapter Manager of Pinedale Chapter in 1981 and continued to 1983. Morgan served as Secretary/Treasurer of Pinedale Chapter from 1983 to 1987. He then served as Chapter President from 1987 to 1990.
In 1991,Morgan was elected to the Navajo Nation Council and served on the Government Services Committee. In 1995,he started serving as Chairperson of the Transportation and Community Development Committee. He was first selected as Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council by his peers on the Council on Jan. 27,2003,and reselected for another two-year term on Jan. 24,2005.
Mr. Morgan has represented the Pinedale and Iyanbito chapters for 12 years. He says the reason he gets re-elected is because he listens to the people.
Controversy
Morgan has been involved with several controversial deals,including highly suspect engagements with Texas billionaire Red "BJ" McCombs and longhorn cattle. McCombs,known for his bankrolling of a young former US president George W. Bush and former bug-killer/ congressman Tom Delay,attempted to use surrogates to acquire 50,000 acres (200km2) of land surrounding Navajo Canyon on Lake Powell for use by wealthy non-Navajos. The move,according to the Navajo Times,was not popular but fought by local Dine' residents who cherish culture over money. Morgan was asked to discuss his meetings with McCombs by a unanimous LeChee Chapter but never showed for the local meetings.[1]
Navajo issues
Speaker Morgan's legislative priorities include enhancing the Local Governance Certification process and water issues. He also pledges to provide for automation and improved records management,to improve media and public relations,and to provide for adequate office and meeting space for the Legislative Branch.
Morgan is a proponent of codifying Navajo Nation Fundamental Law,an initiative that began with the former Speaker.
Navajo Nation Council assault
In April 2006,Navajo Nation Council Speaker Lawrence Morgan faced a charge of criminal battery when he struck Council Delegate Mark Maryboy.
Navajo Council Speaker Morgan struck Maryboy in the chest in the Navajo Chamber's men's bathroom after Maryboy made a complaint to the speaker that he didn't help Maryboy bring up legislation that had been skipped over earlier that day.
The item—formal condolences to the family of late Council Delegate Curley John of Aneth,whose family was in the gallery—was skipped because Maryboy was out of the Council Chambers dealing with Constituents.
Maryboy tried later to put the item back on the agenda but was ruled out of order,the paper reported
Aneth Chapter members had demanded Morgan issue a public apology,following the bathroom scuffle,during one of Aneth's monthly chapter meetings in Utah. Speaker Morgan ignored the Aneth meeting,overall never presenting himself. Investigators attempted to contact Morgan the following days after the incident. Public safety officials said that they believe Morgan stayed off the reservation to avoid possible arrest.
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Navajo Nation / USA