Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Along with dozens of other California Tribes, the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians had its relationship with the Federal Government terminated in 1958, resulting in the loss of its Federal status and all of its Tribal lands. The Tribe's federally recognized status was eventually restored, but its reservation lands were not. As a result, with the exception of a small parcel of land that Congress provided for gaming in San Pablo, the Tribe has been left essentially landless and without a reservation since it was terminated. H.R. 1388 will address that issue by taking approximately 511 acres in Sonoma County, California, into trust as part of the reservation of the Lytton Rancheria. On 124 acres of the land, the Tribe plans to build housing for its members, as well as governmental and community facilities. Another portion of the land is currently being used for viniculture, and the Tribe intends to develop more of the lands for the same purpose. In response to local concerns, the Tribe has agreed that the lands will not be used for gaming. This is provided in the text of the legislation as well as in a binding memorandum of agreement with the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. In addition to the memorandum of agreement with the County of Sonoma, the Tribe has also entered into agreements with the local school district and the local fire department.…”