Steve Largent: “on behalf of the Pawnee Nation in Pawnee Oklahoma, I respectfully request increased construction phase funding for the…”

“on behalf of the Pawnee Nation in Pawnee Oklahoma, I respectfully request increased construction phase funding for the Pawnee Replacement Health Center be included in the Indian Health Service (IHS) Budget. This funding was initially included in the IHS FY 2002 Budget Preparation, but was omitted from H.R. 2217 in its current form. The replacement facility has been on the IHS Health Facility priority list for many years. The need for a replacement building was originally assessed in 1981, but not until last year was the 73-year-old clinic, the oldest in the nation, selected for funding. However, these funds only covered the design phase of the replacement facility, leaving construction funds to be appropriated for fiscal year 2002. As this bill goes to conference with the Senate, I ask that Conferees fulfill the promise Congress made to the Pawnee Nation in 1981 by funding the remaining construction costs in the FY 2002 Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Thank you for considering this request.”