Eva M. Clayton: “Mr. Chairman, this is the season of sacrifice. We know that. But, why is it that we continue to pick on those least able…”

“Mr. Chairman, this is the season of sacrifice. We know that. But, why is it that we continue to pick on those least able to defend themselves--the children? I refer, of course, to that section of this bill that would eliminate the Office of Indian Education. First established in 1972, through the Indian Education Act, for nearly a quarter of a century the Office of Indian Education has sought to serve the unique cultural and academic needs of the original inhabitants of our land. Without the Office of Indian Education, American Indian children and Alaska Native children would not be able to achieve the same academic standards as other children. Most American Indian and Alaska Native children are State recognized, but are not federally recognized. Elimination of the Office of Indian Education and the loss of funding for that purpose would mean the loss of this special Federal funding for public school districts that provide educational opportunities to the vast majority of these children. Federal financial assistance to tribal schools, for elementary and secondary schools, and for related Indian education programs will be gone if this bill stands. Our amendment freezes funding at this fiscal year's level. The administration had sought an increase in funding for the Office of Indian Education, however, in the spirit of deficit reduction, we believe a freeze in funding is appropriate.”