Session ends with lack of quorum

Taking Control With Title 10: Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr. celebrates the signing of the Navajo Sovereignty in Education Act Friday as council delegates and members of the Navajo Education Committee look on in council chambers in Window Rock, Ariz. The newly-signed act amends Title 10 education laws to give the nation more control over student education. [Photo by Jeremy Schneider/Independent]

Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Lack of a quorum brought the Navajo Nation Council's summer session to an abrupt end.

Council delegates worked through lunch during the session's last day to complete the few items remaining on its agenda.

During the slow afternoon, however, some delegates excused themselves early on Friday, prompting Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan to take repeated roll calls to ensure a quorum was still on the floor.

By 4 p.m., the number of delegates on the floor stood at 35 44 delegates are needed and Morgan adjourned the session for lack of quorum.

The last item remaining on the council's agenda included the Navajo Nation Special Elections Act of 2005.

The council also took the following action:

• By a 48-0, vote the council confirmed the appointment of Irene S. Black as Probationary District Court Judge of the Navajo Nation. The legislation was tabled on Thursday until Black was available. Legislation No. 0479-05.
  
  
• By a 68-1 vote, the council passed legislation opposing the resumption of nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site with one amendment. Legislation No. 0218-05.
  
  
• By a 64-0 vote, the council passed legislation congratulating the Winslow High School Varsity Girls Lady Bulldogs Basketball Team, Coaches, and Managers for its 2005 Class AAA Arizona Basketball Champions. Legislation No. 0243-05.
  
  
• By a 61-1 vote, and at the request of sponsoring delegate Larry Anderson, the council tabled legislation until its winter session that transferred the Old Fort Defiance Hospital from the Indian Health Service to the Navajo Nation. Legislation No. 0263-05.
  
  
• By a 62-6 vote, the council passed legislation amending the Navajo Housing Authority's plan of operation. Legislation No. 0294-05.
  
  
• By a 33-29 vote, the council tabled the newly revised Health Commitment Act of 2005 until its winter session pending public hearings. Legislation No. 0328-05.
  
  
• By a 63-1 vote, the council passed legislation that amends Title 17 of the Navajo Nation Code and includes the Peyote Act. Legislation No. 427-05.
  
  
• By a 42-5 vote, the council tabled legislation that approves the Navajo Nation Council Budget Session Rules of Order until its winter session.