Larry EchoHawk

Larry EchoHawk
10th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office May 22, 2009
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Carl J. Artman
30th Attorney General of Idaho
In office January 7, 1991 – January 2, 1995
Preceded by	Jim Jones
Succeeded by	Alan G. Lance
Personal details
Born	August 2, 1948 (1948-08-02) Cody, Wyoming
Nationality	American, Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Terry EchoHawk, registered nurse and author of the children’s book, Call Me Little Echo Hawk
Relations	Brother: John EchoHawk, head of the Native American Rights Fund and member of Obama presidential transition team
Children	6; 22 grandchildren
Residence	Virginia, US
Alma mater	Brigham Young University (B.A.) University of Utah Law School (J.D.)
Profession	Attorney, prosecutor, law professor, politician
Religion	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Home town	Farmington, New Mexico
Known for	First Native American elected to constitutional statewide office

Larry EchoHawk (born August 2, 1948 in Cody, Wyoming) is an attorney and legal scholar. On May 20, 2009, EchoHawk joined the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama as the head of the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. He served as Attorney General of Idaho from 1991 to 1995.

Biography

EchoHawk was raised in Farmington, New Mexico. He attended Brigham Young University on a football scholarship (playing as a safety), then received his Juris Doctor degree in 1973 from the University of Utah and entered law practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1977 he became general legal counsel for the Fort Hall, Idaho-based Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

A Democrat, EchoHawk entered politics in 1982 by winning a seat in the Idaho State House of Representatives from Bannock County. Four years later he was elected Bannock County prosecuting attorney. In 1990 EchoHawk was elected Attorney General of Idaho.

EchoHawk served as national co-chair in 1992 for Native Americans for Clinton-Gore and was a principal speaker at that year's Democratic National Convention.

In 1994 EchoHawk announced his candidacy to succeed fellow Democrat Cecil D. Andrus, who was retiring as Governor of Idaho. EchoHawk decisively defeated former state senator Ron Beitelspacher and an unknown candidate in the Democratic primary, fueling speculation that he could be the nation's first Native American governor. However, he was defeated in the general election by the Republican candidate, former Lieutenant Governor Phil Batt. EchoHawk has not been a candidate for public office since.

Shortly after his 1994 defeat, EchoHawk accepted a faculty position at Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School. In that capacity he taught courses in criminal law, criminal procedure and federal Indian law. He has also published several scholarly papers.

EchoHawk is admitted to the bar in Idaho, Utah and California. He is a member of the Pawnee tribe and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

EchoHawk joined the LDS Church at age 14 in Farmington, New Mexico. He has served as a stake president, bishop, and as member of a high council. At the time he was elected State Attorney General in Idaho he was serving as a member of the board of trustees of LDS Social Services.

Larry EchoHawk and his wife, Terry, currently live in Alexandria, Virginia. They have 6 children and several grandchildren. John EchoHawk, director of the Native American Rights Fund, is his brother.

See also

• Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates

External links

• EchoHawk Law Offices

Legal offices
Preceded by Jim Jones	Attorney General of Idaho 1991 – 1995	Succeeded by Alan G. Lance
Political offices
Preceded by Carl J. Artman	Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs 2009 – present	Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Cecil D. Andrus	Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Idaho 1994 (lost)	Succeeded by Robert C. Huntley