October 17, 2017
The Honorable John Hoeven The Honorable Tom Udall
Chairman Vice Chairman
Committee on Indian Affairs Committee on Indian Affairs
United States Senate United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Chairman Hoeven and Vice Chairman Udall:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the nomination of Tara Sweeney as
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of Interior.
Ms. Sweeney would bring a wealth of experience to the position, having been engaged on
a host of policy issues important to Indian Country with two decades of leadership positions at
the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.
She is a long-serving board member as well as past co-chair of the Alaska Federation of
Natives, whose goal is to encourage economic development consistent with the needs of Alaska
Natives.
Ms. Sweeney is also active internationally; she is a past chair of the Arctic Economic
Council, an international organization focused on growing business and economic development
in Arctic nations.
The Chamber has also had a long relationship with Ms. Sweeney. Her leadership
encouraged the Chamber to create the Native American Enterprise Initiative, which focusses on
crucial economic issues confronting tribally owned businesses and Native American-owned
enterprises.
The Chamber strongly supports Ms. Sweeney’s nomination and urges swift consideration
by the Committee.
Sincerely,
Neil Bradley
cc: Members of the Committee on Indian Affairs
