Chapters: Iyanbito and Pinedale

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BIOGRAPHY

Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan is Tsi’naajinii (Black-Streaked-Wood People Clan), born for Haltsooi (Meadow-People Clan). His maternal grandparents are Tobaashni’azhi (Two-Who-Came-To-Water Clan) and his paternal grandparents are Kinyaa’aanii (Towering-House-People Clan).

Morgan was born and raised in Pinedale, N.M., within five miles of two uranium mines. His own father spent some time working in the uranium mines, but for Morgan, that was never an option. While his father’s work often took him away from home, Morgan’s mother took care of the five children.

In the 1970s, Morgan and his two brothers, Anslem and Gilbert, started their own company, 3M Engravers. They would customize and engrave their silversmith works. In fact, the crown that Miss Eastern Navajo Nation wears today is the same one that Morgan and his brothers created so many years ago.

The Speaker comes from a family of artistic talents. In addition to his talent as a silversmith, Morgan sang with his roommate’s band in high school. His own son and daughter learned to play guitar using the very same guitar that Morgan’s father bought him at Montgomery Wards in the 1960s. Mr. Morgan also paints and draws cartoons.

After graduating from Fort Wingate High School in 1972, Morgan spent some time at University of New Mexico in Gallup, N.M., studying photography. He eventually attended Dine’ College in 1981, where he started taking classes in Navajo government.

It was in the 1980s that Speaker Morgan became interested in serving the public by working in government. He became Chapter Manager of Pinedale Chapter in 1981 and continued to 1983. Morgan served as Secretary/Treasurer of Pinedale Chapter from 1983 to 1987. He then served as Chapter President from 1987 to 1990.

In 1991, Morgan was elected to the Navajo Nation Council and served on the Government Services Committee. In 1995, he started serving as Chairperson of the Transportation and Community Development Committee. He was first selected as Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council by his peers on the Council on Jan. 27, 2003, and reselected for another two-year term on Jan. 24, 2005.

Mr. Morgan has represented the Pinedale and Iyanbito Chapters for 12 years. He says the reason he gets re-elected is because he listens to the people.

“The whole idea is listening to the people in politics,” he says. “If you begin to deviate from the people, you lose track of people and they lose track of you.”

Keeping in contact with the people means attending Chapter meetings and the various activities throughout the Navajo Nation.

“I keep myself visible at all times, and I talk to people as a normal person,” he says.

Morgan’s accomplishments include serving on the Memorandum of Understanding Task Force for the Fort Wingate Army Depot Land Transfer Team in 1995, the Intertribal Transportation Association in 1995, the Mariano Lake School Board from 1981-1991, the Fort Wingate High School Board of Education from 1991-2002, and the Fort Wingate Elementary School Board of Education beginning in 2001. He serves as the Navajo Nation's representative to the BIA Tribal Budget Advisory Council and as the Vice President of the Council of Large Land Based Tribes.

Speaker Morgan pledges to improve the services and enhance the work among the Legislative Branch programs, including the Office of the Speaker, through performance-based evaluations. This measured approach ensures quality job performance, reliability, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency.

Speaker Morgan’s legislative priorities include enhancing the Local Governance Certification process and water issues. He also pledges to provide for automation and improved records management, to improve media and public relations, and to provide for adequate office and meeting space for the Legislative Branch.

Morgan is a proponent of codifying Navajo Nation Fundamental Law, an initiative that began with the former Speaker. Fundamental Law is based on Navajo traditional values and customs. Incorporation of Fundamental Law into the fundamental duties of government is both a progressive and traditional approach to operating the Navajo government. Morgan is beginning work on implementing the Fundamental Law, working with Dine' College and the Medicine Men's Association.

Speaker Morgan and the Navajo Nation Council have been encouraging Navajo youth to "Be Cool. Stay in School. Be drug free." He has traveled to youth events throughout the Navajo Nation and urban areas delivering that message. He advocates for the Navajo youth to be involved in the government. Students have participated in many areas of the Legislative Branch - from 4th grade students honoring the delegates and dignitaries with traditional performances to high school students serving as pages to the Council delegate during session. The National Honor Society and area JROTC groups have also provided the Council with services and learned about the legislative process at the same time.

Speaker Morgan now has five children and four grandchildren. They carry on the artistic traditions of the Morgan family. His two youngest children currently attend Fort Wingate High School.