Political Quotes

“Let me thank my good friend, Mr. Lujan from New Mexico, for his time. H.R. 2938 is named the Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Clarification Act. However, do not be misled by this bill's benign sounding title. It does not aim to clarify anything. Rather, it seeks to unilaterally abrogate an Indian land claim and water rights settlement, and it would also interfere with pending litigation in Federal court. In 1986, the United States enacted Federal legislation specific to this tribe and this situation. The Gila Bend Indian Reservation Lands Replacement Clarification Act, Public Law 99 503, was to implement a settlement reached between the United States and the Tohono O'odham Nation. In this settlement, the nation released claims against the United States for flooding and loss of its land, as well as water rights of 36,000 acre feet per year. In exchange for releasing the claims, Congress guaranteed, via statute, that the nation could obtain replacement reservation lands within three counties without restriction as to the use of that land. {time} 1920 H.R. 2938 seeks to renege on Congress' solemn promise and change the material terms of the settlement; this while Congress contemplates in a very real way breaking its word to Indian Country one more time.…”