Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) today appeared before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee to testify in support of S.2564, the Diné College Act. Flake introduced the Diné College Act on Feb. 24 along with U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) to modernize prior legislation relating to Diné College and to reauthorize the college through 2020.

“Diné College is vital to the state and to the region and to the areas encompassing the reservation in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona… and it has a critical role to play in providing opportunities for higher education and to improve the economic condition of those on the reservation and off,” said Flake.

Video of Flake’s remarks can viewed here.
A transcript of Flake’s remarks can be viewed below.

Background: Diné College was established in 1968 and was the first accredited, tribally-controlled college in the United States. The college, which spans 26,000 square miles of the Navajo Nation and has Arizona campuses in Chinle, Tuba City, Window Rock, and Tsaile, reported a 2015 enrollment of more than 1,500 Native American students pursing accredited degrees and certificates.‎

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I want to thank Senator Udall, Senator McCain, and Senator Heinrich for co-sponsoring this legislation. This is the Diné College Act, we want to reauthorize the college through 2020. Glad to have the interim president here with us today.

Diné College is vital to the state and to the region and to the areas encompassing the reservation in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Diné College has an enrollment of about 1,500 at last count and it has a critical role to play in providing opportunities for higher education and to improve the economic condition of those on the reservation and off.

Last week, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye sent a letter to Chairman Barrasso and Vice Chairman Tester expressing strong support. Also, our Governor Doug Ducey has chimed in support as well. Dine College has the support of Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and the University of Arizona, as well as the entire Board of Regents. It has broad support from a bipartisan group of members here and I hope we can move this legislation.

Thank you again for being here. Thank you Mr. Chairman for having me here.

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