Notice of the Proposed Appointment of Teresa E. Poust to the National Indian Gaming Commission

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act establishes the National Indian Gaming Commission (Commission), composed of three full-time members, a chairman, and two associate members. 25 U.S.C. section 2704(b). Commission members serve for a term of 3 years. 25 U.S.C. section 2704(b)(4)(A). The chairman is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. 25 U.S.C. section 2704(b)(1)(A). The two associate members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. 25 U.S.C. section 2704(b)(1)(B). Before appointing an associate member to the Commission, the Secretary must ``publish in the Federal Register the name and other information the Secretary deems pertinent regarding a nominee for membership on the Commission and shall allow a period of not less than thirty days for receipt of public comment.'' 25 U.S.C. section 2704(b)(2)(B). Notice is hereby given of the proposed appointment by the Secretary of Teresa E. Poust as an associate member of the Commission for a term of 3 years. Since 1992, Ms. Poust has served in several capacities as an attorney and administrator for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Most recently, as the Tribal Administrator, she directed 13 Tribal departments including Law Enforcement, Human Resources, and Social Services, and supervised Federal contracts and grant programs involving, among others, the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. Previously, in positions as Tribal Comprehensive Planner and Contract and Grants Attorney, Ms. Poust oversaw the Tribe's compliance with Federal and State law and regularly addressed Tribal gaming issues. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Tribe's gaming activities. In addition, in 1990 and 1991, while pursuing her law degree, Ms. Poust examined Indian law issues at a private law firm and at the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, both located in Washington, D.C. Ms. Poust also clerked in 1991 at the Division of Indian Affairs, Office of the Solicitor, Department of the Interior, and served as a research assistant for the Office of Trust and Economic Development, Bureau of Indian Affairs, in 1988. Ms. Poust is an enrolled member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Atmore, Alabama, a federally recognized tribe. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the California State University in Fullerton in 1989. In 1992, she earned a Juris Doctor from the Columbus School of Law of the Catholic University of America. She is professionally associated with the Alabama and Escambia County bar association. Ms. Poust does not appear to have any financial interests, management responsibilities, or other circumstances that would make her ineligible to serve on the Commission under 25 U.S.C. section 2704(b)(5). Any person wishing to submit comments on this proposed appointment may forward written comments to the address listed above. Comments must be received by the due date, which is 30 days from the date of the publication of this notice.

Dated: February 3, 1999. Edward B. Cohen, Deputy Solicitor. [FR Doc. 99-3044 Filed 2-8-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-02-M