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

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

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.

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

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.

Would the gentleman yield for just a question on point?

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

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.

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.

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.

You will find full Indian health care reauthorizations in there.

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

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

This is a commitment that is long overdue in terms of being fulfilled.

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…

I rise today to offer what I believe is a noncontroversial amendment that would amend the Public Lands Service Corps Act to allow the Secretaries to enter into arrangements with tribal governments in order to provide temporary housing for…

I would ask you to look at that going forward, because frankly, it is hard to believe that all the increase needed to be in one area than the other two, but I am not surprised if somehow Indians did not fare well in Congress.

I think this is a history that is not a very happy one in this country where there has been a lot of abuses.

I really want to commend the Administration on this. We have had successive administrations... that did not sit down and bring this to a settlement.

Count me in the camp that thinks it is not enough money.

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

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.

We are not talking about some sort of takeover here. We are talking about a cooperative arrangement and negotiated agreement.

But they got zero help out of Fish and Wildlife.