Mike Simpson

There are more facilities falling into disrepair and un-serviceability than there are facilities coming online.

I think one of the greatest areas of opportunity is really investing in the IHS program space.

There is really no need for it.

The chances are everything is probably not wrong. Maybe there are a few things that need to be straightened out.

We have at least $30 million of outstanding claims. Like the gentleman prior said, those dollars are spent.

Please urge IHS to promptly settle outstanding contract support claims.

Never, ever give up on hope, I say. Keep faith, hope, and love life.

We are proud we are natives. And regardless of what the Federal Government does to us, we are going to survive.

I would like to focus on contract support cost funding, irrigation and other drought assistance and public safety and healthcare to illustrate how important federal appropriations are to Indian Country.

The right people aren't here to hear that.

First and foremost, I want to discuss our healthcare needs and the dangers of sequestration.

Gaming, whether you agree with gaming or not, has done a great deal on a lot of reservations.

It has always amazed me that states can go out and open up gaming and then try to restrict it when tribes try to do it on their reservations.

But you cannot put children in unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous buildings and expect them to learn.

I appreciate his support to bring that out on the table.

If I could, Mr. Chairman? Do you get any funding from the state to maintain roads on the reservation?

Thank you both for being here today. I appreciate it very much.

I would just say what we need is restoration dollars for those fire ravaged areas across the country.

But we would like the resources at a time of decreasing budgets, and I am trying to find money to build new schools among other things in Indian Country.

It is clear to me that if we are really going to have a change in how we construct school buildings and so forth on the reservation, it is going to have to come from this committee.

I have no problem meeting our obligations, and building homes, and doing the necessary things. I really hate spending money in court.

Maybe the most honest statement that has ever been made in Congress, you cannot afford us.

That is what frustrates me, is we have so many Federal agencies telling you what to do on your land, and I think we have got to change that.

I went out to Fort Hall reservation when they started this immersion school out there, which is fascinating.

This focus on education is very important, and these immersion skills are, I think, vitally important to preserving a culture, one that we cannot let die.