Jon L. Christensen: “Mr. Speaker, native people, both Native Americans as well as people of different ethnicities, have been displaced during…”

“Mr. Speaker, native people, both Native Americans as well as people of different ethnicities, have been displaced during the settlement of most of the U.S. This is a sad, but true, chapter in our history. I would say, though, that if we are serious about returning lands to native people, and we should be, then let us look at developing a nationwide, consistent policy. We cannot start carving up our national parks piece by piece, case by case. This does a disservice to the parks, the tribes, and the American people. Mr. Speaker, it has been said that environmental groups support the exchange. In fact, most, if not all, are against this exchange but are willing to work with the tribe on a suitable alternative site. We recognize that the condition of the school is poor and should be unacceptable; but as I recall from the hearing, there was $8 million there for years that had never been used to repair the schools in all of this time. Those of us who object do not object on the basis of need. The tribe's children and all of this country's children need, deserve, and should have good, safe, well-equipped and well-staffed schools. We want the Eastern Band of Cherokees to have the educational complex that they should have. The question that remains is where is that facility best placed.”