Political Quotes

“I am proud to join the gentlewoman from California in supporting H.R. 700. This bill will resolve a dilemma which has been hanging over the Agua Caliente tribe for almost 50 years. This legislation reflects the solution to a long-standing problem that the tribe has addressed within their governmental process and structure. The only reason Congress must consider this issue is because back in 1959, we imposed restrictions on how the tribe was to resolve an internal issue. I want to point out that both the Justice Department and the Department of the Interior have reviewed this legislation and the tribe's proposed solution to their problem as embodied in H.R. 700, as amended by the Senate. The amendments added by the Senate improve the bill and recognize the fact that full equalization to all members of the tribe was achieved in 1961. This bill enjoys the overwhelming support of the tribe and the 85 affected allottees. In fact, over 60 percent of the voting-age members of the tribe have taken the time to write to this committee expressing their support for this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill that should have been adopted nearly 40 years ago.”