WASHINGTON — President Bush has nominated Carl J. Artman to oversee the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Interior Department agency that manages the 55.7 million acres of land held in trust for American Indians.

Artman, a member of the Oneida tribe of Wisconsin, serves as the Interior Department's associate solicitor for Indian affairs. Before joining the department, Artman was chief counsel for the Oneida Tribe. He also worked on the staff of Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio.

In addition, Artman has served as general manager of development and operations for VoiceStream Wireless Corp. and vice president of legal affairs for Airadigm Communications.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne had promised earlier this year that an American Indian would be appointed to the post.

Bush sent the nomination to the Senate on Tuesday. If confirmed, Artman would replace Dave Anderson, who resigned in February 2005 to focus on business interests. Associate Deputy Interior Secretary Jim Cason has held the post temporarily since Anderson left.

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