Comment Submitted by Patrick Murphy

Despite coming from an undercounted region (Navajo Nation) according to the 2000 U.S. Census, optimism continues to exist for our underserved population of 300,000 plus residents of northern Arizona, New Mexico and southeastern Utah. The issue of counting American Indian Alaska Native only for the purposes of the IHBG program becomes even more critical for each tribe located in the States of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The needs of those individuals living below the poverty level, in remote Native American communities in the Southwest, would be better addressed from the IHBG program if American Indian Alaska Native alone figures are utilized as opposed to other means (multi-race). Think and compare of the elders living in both communities. Multi-race versus Single race and it is very clear that basic necessities such as electricity, sewer and water utilities are easily afforded near urban areas whereas, typically, to fill a 55 gallon water container, a trip of over 50 miles round trip is taken to provide for single race AIAN on a weekly basis. Continued much success for AIAN/(insert other race catagory here) living in States like California, Oklahoma and Connecticut when it comes to housing. Comment on FR Doc # E6-20939