Tom Udall

Among the many obstacles to closing the digital divide in Indian Country is the FCC's Eligible Telecommunications Carrier, or ETC designation.

We have heard today about the GAO's second report on partnerships and how less than 1 percent of the FCC's funding has gone to tribes.

All they know is that tribes need better broadband services. And it is up to everybody else to hopefully help them with that.

I can look at this map and tell you off the top of my head how flawed this map is.

I expect your intention is to try to really get this updated so that we know what we are dealing with.

Your report mentions needing a formal tribal engagement process that allows for meaningful tribal input as part of the FCC's data collection.

Do you have a timeline for us?

Yes. And Mr. Webre, there is no doubt that the maps are not accurate?

Eighty percent of those living on tribal lands in New Mexico do not have access to broadband.

When exactly will this Committee see accurate data from the E-Rate program about its work in tribal lands?

Seeing it first-hand is tremendously important.

Mr. Webre, the FCC issued guidance in 2012 about tribal engagement. The GAO reports that that guidance is now stale.

Thank you, Senator Udall, for stating that earlier in his opening statement.

It is the smallest tribes that probably have the greatest need.

I would like to see you in an affirmative relationship rather than asking them, you assisting them and working with HHS and the Department of Justice to get this done.

John was a leading voice on many issues throughout his decades of public service.

The lack of comprehensive, easily accessible data on Native youth in the Federal justice system is, frankly, appalling to me.

Do you help with the grant writing? That has been one of the big problems, the lack of resources to hire grant writing.

It seems to me your agents specifically do what he was talking about in the discussion between the two witnesses here.

He was internationally known for his stances on human rights and government oppression around the globe.

One of the points I was making here is by using cultural knowledge and traditional practices, many Native youth have been able to successfully reintegrate back into tribal communities and heal their trauma and what they have been through.

He was also a leading voice for Indian Country.

The challenges faced by Native youth in the justice system are significant and require our attention.

I would focus on what you talked about, the smaller tribes that are having the biggest problem.

John's outsized presence in the United States Senate and this Committee will surely be missed, but his enduring legacy will guide us for years to come.