Political Quotes

“Reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman for that. But, once again, trust is a series of promises kept. When has the Federal Government held their trust up to the Tribal men or even allottees? It doesn't matter if they are Native American. We have had a number of mining claims that have been stymied because the Forest Service or the BLM will not give them access, even though they have allowed and stated that they would have access to that claim. So, once again, it is a hollow promise; and, once again, I beseech individuals until the government starts honoring promises, they are not entitled to the hierarchy of trust. That is just it. I trust people more than I do the government. A government that can give all can take all. I'm not for that. I'm for empowerment. I'm not for victimization. What I have seen, I don't like. I have seen that the promise to the Navajo people and to the Hopi people is lame. We are going to take these good-paying jobs in northern Arizona, and we are going to give them welfare? How discouraging is that? Does that lift a person's spirit? No, it doesn't. It doesn't give them upward mobility. I thought that was the American experience. It is sad that we are at this point in time. I think we need to have more dialogue on these bills. We need to have more discussions. Yes, the ranking member made the comment: good process, builds good policy, builds good politics. None of that exists right now. None of that exists.…”