Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 317 will reaffirm the action of the Secretary of the Interior to take certain lands into trust for the benefit of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians in California. The current Chumash reservation is just under 100 acres, but only 40 of those acres are able to be utilized for government offices, economic development, and a few Tribal homes. It is obvious that there is not enough Tribal land for housing needs. Only 17 percent of Tribal members and lineal descendants are able to live in Tribal housing. In 2010, the Tribe purchased approximately 1,400 acres of ancestral land in an effort to provide suitable housing for the Tribe's members and their descendants. Even though this land was taken into trust administratively, a number of parties continue to file lawsuits appealing the decision. The Chumash leadership has been forthcoming in their desire to acquire this land only for additional Tribal housing, and they have attempted to be a good neighbor by engaging local elected officials and groups to mitigate any concerns. It is a shame that it has taken almost a decade for this issue to be resolved, but now we are at the point where we can finally put an end to this process. Passage of H.R. 317 will reaffirm the Secretarial decision that put the land in trust, clearing the way for the Chumash to finally provide additional Tribal housing for their members.…”