Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the Parker amendment. The tribe that the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Parker) has mentioned today happens to be my in home district, the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, which I believe is probably one of the best models, if not the best model, in the Nation of tribal leadership and self-determination. They have taken the steps where, 20 or 30 years ago, a generation ago, you had the highest rates of unemployment, of illiteracy, of poor health care; now they have the best in health care, they have world class facilities, they have the best in education. They have invested in manufacturing facilities and we now have the lowest unemployment in this area of my State that we have had in 30 years, and it is because they have done what we asked them to do. They have taken the steps consistent with the Indian Self-determination Act of 1975. What I am concerned about is here we are breaking that commitment, breaking our word, in essence abrogating a contract. We are penalizing and punishing those who have taken the right steps.”