Tom Cole

All states may be equal but all tribes are not, and we have dispensed recognition in many cases and stripped tribes of the ability to pursue their own economic interests.

Would the gentleman yield for just a question on point?

Once we were able to take over those services ourselves and contract for ourselves... healthcare got a whole lot better.

It does amaze me when the BIA loses a legal case. That ought to kind of tell them, you know, why do we want to come back down this road again?

I am pretty stunned at the differential between how we fund the U.S. Forestry Service and how you are funded.

I do not know much about trees, so this has been very educational for me.

It is so critical that tribes have a direct say-so in the education of their kids.

If 53 is the good number, I do not think anybody on this panel will regard that as a good result.

Congratulations on not waiting around for us to solve your problems.

I do not know what the dropout rate is in your tribe, but I know nationwide, you are talking only 49 percent of native kids finish high school compared to 75 percent national average, and about 10, 11, percent go to college compared to…

You will find full Indian health care reauthorizations in there.

Actually, my chairman and I would have probably have a difference on this because I think this legislation should have been enacted separately.

When tribes do this, they almost always turn right around and invest all the money right back where you are investing your money.

It shows an awful lot of initiative.

I just think it is really important to do what your tribe has done, and you have to be well situated.

You made a pretty strong pitch for Johnson-O'Malley money, which I could not agree with you more since about 90 percent of native kids are actually not in reservation schools, they are someplace else, and that is something honestly we have…

It is a huge problem. Our colleagues, Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin and Senator Dorgan, actually have a pretty good piece of legislation to try to enhance the authority of tribal courts.

It is very clearly a trust responsibility to provide water on a reservation.

They still have frankly the same trust rights and same negotiated privileges as those back on a reservation or in an area of historic jurisdiction.

I am always amazed at the diversity of Indian Country, and I have learned more about fisheries from Mr. Dicks.

In terms of law enforcement, I saw a little bit in your testimony, what is the size of your total budget and what are the sorts of things you need from the BIA.

This is actually one of the highlights of the year for me, Mr. Chairman, to have the opportunity to hear so many voices from Indian Country.

I urge all Members to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Again, this is a simple modification that will allow Native American tribes to enter into agreements to house the employees of the Public Lands Service Corps just like Federal agencies…

The needs of this population really are unique, and having the concentration of expertise and people familiar with dealing with substantial numbers of Native Americans is really critical for us.

Having the coverage does not mean much if you cannot get the care.