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EPA Announces New Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs and Its Director

Release Date: 9/11/2003
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

      Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 Office has announced the creation of a new Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs and the selection of its Director, Jonathan Hook. This office will be part of the Regional Administrator's immediate office starting Oct. 1.

      In 1994, EPA created the Environmental Justice program to aid minority and low-income populations with environmental and health concerns. EPA created the Regional Native American program in 1996 to help the 66 tribes in the five Region 6 states with their environmental issues.  

      EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said, "Jonathan has been involved with several community grassroots efforts including those aimed at preventing the desecration of Native American and African American burial sites. Jonathan has held positions with tribal organizations and as an education consultant, a mediator, a cross-cultural trainer and a youth advocate."

      Hook comes to EPA from the American Indian Resource Center in San Antonio where he served as President.  He is a graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois with a degree in history and a master's degree in communications with a cross-cultural emphasis.  He also holds a doctorate in American Indian/African/European history from the University of Houston.