Bush taps Hopi for Ariz.'s U.S. attorney

By: Lindsey Collom

A member of the Hopi Indian tribe could be the first Native American to serve as the U.S. attorney for Arizona.

President Bush on Thursday nominated Diane J. Humetewa, who has spent most of her career as a federal prosecutor and is currently the senior litigation counsel and tribal liaison with the Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office.

Humetewa, 42, said she was "extremely honored" by the nomination but declined to comment further, saying it was too early in the process.

If the U.S. Senate confirms the nomination, Humetewa will fill the position vacated by Paul Charlton, one of eight U.S. attorneys forced to resign nationwide in a Justice Department purge. Daniel Knauss has served as the interim U.S. attorney since January. Charlton said he and Humetewa have discussed the job in recent months and he feels she is a "perfect fit."

"I tried a case with Diana about 10 years ago, and it was there that I saw this extraordinary combination of outstanding prosecutor and an individual with a clear moral compass who understood what was right and demonstrated good judgment consistently," Charlton said. "One of the qualities you need to be a U.S. attorney in Arizona is to have a great deal of sensitivity to issues in Indian country, and no one has been better able to exemplify that than Diane."

Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl in January recommended Humetewa for the post. Humetewa served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs during both of McCain's tenures as committee chairman.In a joint statement Thursday, the senators urged a swift confirmation.

"Diane has demonstrates a devotion to public service and commitment to justice, and I believe she is uniquely qualified to address legal issues in the state of Arizona," McCain said in the statement.Humetewa began her career with the U.S. Attorney's Office in 1987 as a victim's advocate. Six years later, she graduated from the Arizona State University College of Law. Humetewa sits as an appellate court judge for the Hopi Tribal Court.