[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56577-56578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22413]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Proposed Appointment of Nelson W. Westrin to the National Indian 
Gaming Commission

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Indian Regulatory Act provides for a three-person National 
Indian Gaming Commission. One member, the chairman, is appointed by the 
President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Two associate 
members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. Before 
appointing members, the Secretary is required to provide the public 
notice of a proposed appointment and allow for a comment period. Notice 
is hereby given of the proposed appointment of Nelson W. Westrin as an 
associate member of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

DATES: Comments must be received before or on October 4, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to the Director, Office of Executive 
Secretariat, United States Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, 
NW, Mail Stop 7229, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Moll, Assistant Solicitor, 
Division of General Law, Branch of

[[Page 56578]]

General Legal Services, United States Department of the Interior, 1849 
C Street, NW, Mail Stop 6531, Washington, DC 20240; telephone 
2022085216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. 
2701 et seq., establishes the National Indian Gaming Commission 
(Commission), composed of three full-time members; a chairman and 
associate members. 25 U.S.C . 2704(b). Commission members serve for a 
term of 3 years. 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(2)(4)(A). The chairman is appointed 
by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. 25 U.S.C. 
2704(b)(1)(A). The two associate members are appointed by the Secretary 
of the Interior. 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(1)(B). Before appointing an 
associate member to the Commission, the Secretary is required to 
``publish in the Federal Register the name and other information the 
Secretary deems pertinent regarding a nominee for membership on the 
Commission and * * * allow a period of not less than thirty days for 
receipt of public comment.'' 25 U.S.C. 2704(b)(2)(B). Notice is hereby 
given of the proposed appointment of Nelson W. Westrin as an associate 
member of the Commission for a term of three years.
    Nelson W. Westrin is well qualified to serve as a member of the 
Commission. He has served as the first Executive Director of the 
Michigan Gaming Control Board since 1996, a position to which he was 
appointed by Governor John M. Engler. In this position, Mr. Westrin was 
responsible for developing, implementing, organizing, and managing 
every facet of the State agency. He worked closely with tribal 
officials while carrying out the State's oversight of Native American 
casino gaming operations in Michigan. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Westrin 
served as the Racing Commissioner for the State of Michigan. Mr. 
Westrin was the Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan 
from 1977 to 1993, and from 1984 to 1993 he was assigned to the Lottery 
and Racing Division. Between 1974 and 1977, Mr. Westrin served as the 
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Ingham County, Michigan.
    Mr. Westrin received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan 
State University in 1969. He holds a Juris Doctor from the Detroit 
College of Law, which was awarded in 1974.
    Nelson W. Westrin does not appear to have any financial interests 
that would make him ineligible to serve on the Commission under 25 
U.S.C. 2704(b)(5)(B).
    Any person wishing to submit comments on this proposed appointment 
may submit written comments to the address listed above. Comments must 
be received by October 4, 2002.

    Dated: August 28, 2002.
Roderick Walston,
Deputy Solicitor.
[FR Doc. 02-22413 Filed 9302; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 756501M