Dan Bishop: “I thank the ranking member for yielding. Since 1885, the State of North Carolina has recognized the Lumbee Indians of…”

“I thank the ranking member for yielding. Since 1885, the State of North Carolina has recognized the Lumbee Indians of North Carolina, but today marks the first time in U.S. history since the Lumbee first sought Federal recognition in 1885 that legislation for full and bona fide recognition will pass the U.S. House while a companion bill awaits action in the U.S. Senate strongly favored by two North Carolina Senators and with the President of the United States having promised to sign the legislation that will result. For 64 years, the 66,000-strong Lumbee have existed in a kind of official limbo that reflects the worst of our Federal Government. In 1956, Congress passed a law simultaneously granting recognition of the Tribe and terminating it, according to the movement of that era. ``Nothing in this Act,'' said the legislation, ``shall make such Indians eligible for any services performed by the United States for Indians because of their status as Indians, and none of the statutes of the United States which affect Indians because of their status as Indians shall be applicable to the Lumbee Indians.'' One wonders if they had heard about equal protection. For the opponents of Lumbee recognition, including other Tribes, it has always been about the money. Of course, there have been fellow travelers motivated by racial prejudice or neglect.…”