Political Quotes

“this piece of legislation, I can just simply say, is long overdue and I cannot thank enough my good friend from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth) and his leadership in bringing this piece of legislation, and also Senator McCain of the other body for bringing this to fruition. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support S. 162, which is before us this afternoon, and pleased that we are dispensing with this bill early in the session. This bill will provide the authority needed to distribute judgment awards funds to members of the Gila River Pima-Maricopa Indian community in the State of Arizona. This action will finally bring to closure litigation which started in 1951, Mr. Speaker. That is 42 years surrounding the failure of our government, the United States Government, to adequately protect the use of water from the Gila River and the Salt River on behalf of the tribal community. In 1972 the Indian Claims Commission found the United States liable to the community with regard to the underlying complaint, and in 1982 the U.S. Court of Claims agreed with that finding. A monetary settlement in the amount of $7 million has been agreed to, and today we will ratify the distribution of those funds according to the wishes of the community. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation.”