Kirkpatrick Continues to Gain Support on Navajo Nation

Tuba City, AZ - Former State Representative Ann Kirkpatrick, candidate to represent Arizona's 1st Congressional District, today announced that she has received the endorsement of the Western Navajo Agency Council.

"I am very pleased to receive the endorsement of the Western Navajo Agency Council," said Kirkpatrick. "Throughout my career, I have been committed to delivering for the Native American community. In Congress, I will bring back federal dollars to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, improve our schools, and provide health care for everyone in Indian Country."

"Far too many on the Navajo Nation are without basic necessities like running water and electricity," continued Kirkpatrick. "We need the kind of leadership in Washington that can tell the story of the day-to-day struggles of our native communities and mobilize Congress into action."

The latest endorsement is just the most recent example of the widespread support Representative Kirkpatrick's campaign has received from the native community.

Kirkpatrick's bid for Congress has received the endorsement of former Navajo Nation President Dr. Peterson Zah, former Executive Director of the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs Ron Lee, Apache County School Superintendent Dr. Pauline Begay, Navajo County Supervisor Percy Deal, Navajo County Supervisor Jess Thompson, Apache County Supervisor Tom White, and former State Senator Jack Jackson, Sr. Kirkpatrick has also received the endorsement of delegates from the Fort Defiance, Chinle, Dilcon, Teetso, Chilchinbeto, Kayenta, Ganado, Kinlichee, La Chee, Many Farms, and Round Rock chapters.

While serving in the state legislature, Kirkpatrick had a proven track record of support for the native communities, which included working to expand telecommunications and infrastructure throughout tribal lands. In addition, she sponsored legislation to establish a division of Indian Education in the Department of Education, to increase funding for Navajo veterans' housing, and to increase funding for diabetes prevention.

In Congress, Kirkpatrick has pledged to:

-Strengthen the Native American Language Act of 1990
-Protect Federal Impact Aid funding for our children in public schools
-Provide funding for Sage Memorial Hospital and for Dilkon Health Facility
-Maintain access to U.S. Forest Lands to gather wood for personal and ceremonial purposes
-Build detention centers on Navajo land
-Fund energy assistance to help Navajo families with the high cost of heating their homes
-Invest in wind energy development on the Navajo Nation
-Establish a Navajo Nation veterans services division
-Ban uranium mining and processing on Navajo land

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Former State Representative Ann Kirkpatrick is a former legislator, county prosecutor, small business owner, mother, and a community leader who served as President of the Northern Arizona United Way. Born in McNary, Kirkpatrick is a native of rural Arizona and has lived and worked in the 1st Congressional District all her life.

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