Political Quotes

“Let me thank the distinguished chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources for his leadership on this issue and for his many, many years of devoted service to this body. We will miss you. All the best in the future. Thank you so much for your service. Let me also thank the ranking member, Mr. DeFazio, for his support on this important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, this bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study for the Chief Standing Bear National Historic Trail. Why is this important? Because, as has already been mentioned, Chief Standing Bear holds a special place in Native American, as well as United States history. Establishing a trail in his name would be an outstanding way to recognize his deep contribution to the well-being of our country. I would like to provide some additional background on this extraordinary individual who, again, prevailed in one of the most important court cases for Native Americans in our country's history. Chief Standing Bear was a Ponca chief. In the 1800s, the Ponca tribe made its home in the Niobrara River Valley in the area of northeast Nebraska. In 1877, the United States Government pressured the Poncas from their homeland, compelling them to move to Indian territory in Oklahoma. Not wanting to subject his people to a confrontation with the government, Standing Bear obliged and led them from their homes to their new reservation in Oklahoma.…”