Political Quotes

“I want to express my opposition because of the inconsistency and unfairness that this kind of action leads to for groups petitioning for recognition by the Federal Government as a legally established entity under current law, entitled to the same kind of benefits, health care services, education, and housing benefits that native American tribes are entitled to under the laws of the United States. This petitioning group has filed an application of longstanding with the Department of the Interior, which has the responsibility for administering this recognition program. There are established criteria by statute which must be met in order for petitioners to be certified as eligible for Federal recognition. This group has not met the test of those established criteria. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians is led by Chief Phillip Martin, who testified before our Select Committee on Indian Affairs, very persuasively and eloquently as to why recognition should not be granted by Congress as requested by this bill.”