Norman D. Dicks: “I rise to urge final passage of H.R. 1061, the Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act, which I sponsored. The Hoh Tribe…”

“I rise to urge final passage of H.R. 1061, the Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act, which I sponsored. The Hoh Tribe lives right on the Pacific Coast in the Sixth District, which I represent. Their reservation is in a spectacularly beautiful area, but the location leaves the Hohs in constant danger of tsunamis. This legislation would allow the Hoh Tribe to move many structures out of the tsunami impact zone. This legislation passed the House in June. In September the bill was amended then passed in the Senate. This amended version, which is supported by all parties, is what the House is considering today. I urge that we again pass this legislation and allow for the Hoh Tribe to build a safer future uphill from the tsunami danger. H.R. 1061 accomplishes this goal by transferring a small parcel of land in Olympic National Park to the tribe. In addition, the legislation will place into trust this transferred Park Service land, along with other lands recently acquired by the tribe. I really cannot overemphasize the necessity of this legislation for the safety of the Hoh Tribe.”