Tom Cole: “I rise in support of H.R. 5386, the Department of Interior Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007. Mr. Chairman, I…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 5386, the Department of Interior Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007. Mr. Chairman, I commend the distinguished chairman, Mr. Taylor, and his committee for including funding in the Indian Health Service facilities budget for joint venture projects. I believe the Service should take advantage of opportunities like the joint venture program to leverage tribal dollars with Federal dollars. In my State of Oklahoma, I am pleased to note that the Chickasaw Nation has pledged an unprecedented $135,000 million in tribal funds to design, construct, and equip a new state-of-the-art medical center to meet the needs of its people, its community, and neighboring tribes. Congress and the Indian Health Service should look favorably upon tribes willing and able to make those investments back into their community and provide the necessary supplemental resources. With that, Mr. Chairman, I urge the support of H.R. 5386.”