Chris Dodd: “my colleagues ought to know that in the concluding paragraphs of the letter he disagrees with this amendment. But his…”

“my colleagues ought to know that in the concluding paragraphs of the letter he disagrees with this amendment. But his conclusion about a process that needs repair is one that is embraced almost by all. My good friend from Colorado has legislation pending that would move the present recognition process from the BIA to a new commission. I agree with him on that approach. I believe it will take time to get that done. I presume there will be regulations and the like appended to it. It is not a question of debate about whether or not the process is in need of repair. It appears that everybody agrees with them because of what has happened and the various circumstances. We are talking about 222 petitions, and maybe more--all of which may be legitimate. But shouldn't we know in the end that there has been a process followed fairly by all and that there will be at the end of the day a conclusion that is just and reasonable and will withstand the test of time? That is all we are suggesting. The poignancy, I suppose, is because it impacts my State. I am aware of it because of what's going on in my State. If I had no petitions pending in my State, I wouldn't be standing here. I wouldn't be aware of the issue. But we are aware of it. I am worried about the future for the very same reasons that history suggests--that we will find out again that there is unnecessary division, hostility, and resentment growing. That should not be the case.…”