Daniel Akaka: “Less than 10 percent of residents of Native Nations have access to the lifeblood of our 21st century economy.”

That is why I have worked hard during my time in Congress to educate, protect, and empower consumers.

Thank you, Chairman Brown. Thank you very much for holding this hearing today and for all of your work on consumer protection issues.

The month of November provides Native peoples opportunity to educate by sharing their history and culture with a larger audience.

We must also reaffirm and acknowledge the Department of Education's Federal trust responsibility for American Indian and Alaska Native students.