WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), praised the proposed appointment of Sequoyah Simermeyer to serve as an associate member of the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). Simermeyer is a member of the Coharie Intra-Tribal Council, Inc. of North Carolina, a state-recognized tribal group.
For the past year, Simermeyer has served as counsel to Chairman Barrasso on the SCIA. In this role, he has helped draft legislative proposals and committee reports, prepare oversight and legislative hearings, and advise the chairman on several issues pertaining to Indian Country.
Before joining Chairman Barrasso’s staff, Mr. Simermeyer served as the deputy chief of staff to the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior. Upon his formal appointment, Mr. Simermeyer will serve as an associate member for a term of three years. This post does not require full Senate confirmation. He will work with NIGC Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri, who was nominated by President Obama in January, 2015, and was confirmed by the Senate on April 16, 2015.
“I want to personally congratulate Sequoyah Simermeyer on this proposed appointment to the NIGC,” said Chairman Barrasso. “He has been a valuable member of our team at the committee and I know he will do well at the NIGC. Sequoyah’s hard work and expertise have made him a strong advocate for issues essential to Indian Country. It is vital that the commission be properly staffed, so I am glad to see Sequoyah’s appointment. I hope the remaining commissioner vacancy is filled properly and promptly, as well. ”
– Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
