George Miller: “I rise in support of S. 1973, the Navajo-Hopi Land Dispute Settlement Act of 1996. This bill is another step in the…”

“I rise in support of S. 1973, the Navajo-Hopi Land Dispute Settlement Act of 1996. This bill is another step in the right direction toward bringing the problems with the land dispute between the two tribes to a close. It will enact the settlement agreement reached between the Hopi Tribe and the Department of Justice acting on behalf of the United States. S. 1973 will provide the Hopi Tribe with the authority to enter in lease agreements with Navajo residents living on Hopi partitioned land. These leases will allow the Navajo residents to live peaceably on Hopi land for 75 years with the promise that they will be treated under Hopi law the same as members of the Hopi Tribe. Further, this legislation will settle four law suits pending against the United States by the Hopi Tribe. Enactment of this bill will save millions in continued litigation costs and probable U.S. liability. I urge my colleagues to support this measure--the Hopi Tribe has remained willing to negotiate and discuss each issue which has arisen over this matter. They have waited long enough for this bill to pass. I want to thank the Navajo nation for its help in getting this settlement to this point. I further wish to thank the Hopi Tribe, the tribal council, and particularly chairman Ferrell Secakuku and Kim Secakuku for their determination and long hours of hard work.”