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CN Principal Chief, Chad Smith, appeared before a Congressional subcommittee to request federal funding for several Cherokee Nation projects.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, appeared before a Congressional Subcommittee Thursday requesting federal funding for several Cherokee Nation projects. Smith submitted testimony for inclusion in the official record of the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies, requesting that Congress authorize and appropriate additional monies, for several Cherokee Nation projects, including additional funding for the Sequoyah High School Multipurpose Student Center, authorization and funding for grade expansion at Sequoyah, and supplemental funding for Contract Support Costs and the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund.

Smith shared with the subcommittee copies of the April edition of the Cherokee Phoenix, which contains an article and a picture of the Sequoyah High School Lady Indians after winning the state championship last month.

"The community involvement and support for SHS is inspiring," Smith said. "Cherokee Nation asks for support in continuing this exciting surge of school-centered enthusiasm."

Another topic addressed by Smith was a request to change technical language to make the Jack Brown Center a permanent Cherokee Nation facility.

"Funding these initiatives will better the educational opportunities of our youth, will provide more accessible healthcare to those who are in such great need, and will enable Cherokee Nation to provide needed services within its jurisdiction," Smith said.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org