Political Quotes

“We also support passage of this act. This bill ratifies a 1996 settlement of a lawsuit between the Miccosukee Tribe in Florida over lands taken by the State for construction of Alligator Alley across the Everglades. Under the terms of this agreement, the tribe gets $2.1 million, 22 acres of land, and two rights-of-way, while the State gets several rights-of-way from the tribe for highway maintenance and release from the lawsuit. Congress is involved because the agreement calls for the Department of the Interior to approve the rights-of-way given to the State and to place the tribe's newly acquired lands into trust. I am pleased that the tribe and State have reached this amicable agreement. I also applaud the diligence and hard work of the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Diaz-Balart]. I also note that the Committee on Resources held a hearing, and just prior to full committee markup the Department sent over several technical changes that have not yet been incorporated into the bill. These are not critical changes, but it is my hope that the Senate will give them fair consideration as it takes up the bill.”