rewrite script to eliminate constant object reference

I'm adding a column (region) to a data frame (devUni8), and the (region)
column will be populated by a numeric code that is a function of another
column (state) in that data frame.  See part of the script below. 

How can I rewrite this so that I could apply the conditions to any data
frame without having to keep typing its name (in this case, "devUni8$"). 
I've heard the attach() function is to be avoided, and I'm not good at with,
while, or if statements right now.  I've tried some other things but keep
getting "object not found" errors.  Assistance appreciated. Thanks.

#Create Region Variable
#########
devUni8$region=0

#Assign Northeast States
#########	
devUni8$region[devUni8$state >= 11 & devUni8$state <= 23 | devUni8$state >=
51 & devUni8$state <= 55] = 1	

#Assign Southeast States
#########
devUni8$region[devUni8$state >= 56 & devUni8$state <= 64 ] = 2



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