Tim Moore: “we are not here today to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Lumbee Tribe was already recognized by the…”

“we are not here today to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Lumbee Tribe was already recognized by the United States Congress in 1956. We are, however, here today to right a wrong, to end the termination era of Indian policy, and to take the Lumbee out of the legal limbo that they have been in for almost 70 years. It is the job of this Congress to right the wrongs of the past. During the early 1900s, the Lumbee had numerous Indian agents sent by the U.S. Government go to the homelands, study them, collect data, and determine if they are, in fact, Indian. Each time the Indian agents returned to the District of Columbia, they reported back that these were indeed Indian people. They were Indian people who had survived disease, warfare, and colonization. I know the Lumbee personally. They are a resilient, strong, and proud people. The Lumbee have served this country in every branch of the military. They contribute to our society. The Lumbee have a strong faith in God. They are good friends who value education, hard work, and community. I am proud to stand with the Lumbee and urge this body to vote today to end a decades-long wrong.”