Daniel B. Maffei: “I am proud to represent central New York, home of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which was also known…”

“I am proud to represent central New York, home of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which was also known as the Iroquois Confederacy. It includes the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas, the Senecas, and, later, the Tuscaroras. It spread across New York, and was one of the earliest civil governments in territory that now lies within the United States and Canada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Oneidas' leader Ray Halbritter's efforts to change the name of the Washington, D.C., National Football League team. The name of the Washington football team is derogatory to the Native Americans of this country. For many Native Americans across the land, the name of the Washington football team is a deeply personal reminder of a legacy of racism and of generations of pain. The current campaign to change the team's name is supported by many groups and individuals, including Native American organizations, civic and government leaders, editorial boards, and many leaders, including my colleagues, Representatives Betty McCollum and Tom Cole, and many others in a nonpartisan effort. President Obama said recently: If I were the owner of a team and I knew that there was a name of my team--even if it had a storied history--that was offending a sizable group of people, I'd think about changing it. I wholeheartedly join this effort.…”