Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Clarification Act is an important step that will help keep the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center serving our community and our Nation. Founded in 1976 to celebrate the history and accomplishments of our State's 19 Indian Pueblos, the IPCC includes a museum that honors the continuing contributions of Pueblo people to our State in their own words. The IPCC continues to serve as a gathering space for Pueblo leaders to meet and discuss issues of importance to the 19 Indian Pueblos. {time} 1330 The IPCC property sits on land that was put into trust for New Mexico's pueblos in 1978, when the Albuquerque Indian School was closed by the Bureau of Indian Education. However, in recent years, disagreement has arisen about the land's tax status. This legislation will remove a clause in the current law that states that this land is not ``Indian Country,'' thereby ensuring that commercial activity on this site remains exempt from State taxation, just like all other trust land. The bill also includes a clause that explicitly prohibits gaming at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center site, which has earned the support of the All-Indian Pueblo Council, the State of New Mexico, and the city of Albuquerque. Although it was not the intention of the All-Indian Pueblo Council to engage in gaming at this location, that provision puts to rest any concerns of residents who live nearby.…”