Earl Blumenauer: “I voted in favor of H.R. 1409, which would provide for an exchange of land with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee…”

“I voted in favor of H.R. 1409, which would provide for an exchange of land with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nations. There had been some concerns raised by environmental interests, but evidence about the environmental merits of the exchange are mixed, and opinions are not unanimous. Furthermore, the basic issue for me must be equitable treatment for Native Americans. This is an area where the relationship between the Federal Government and the Cherokee Nation is shameful. The history of this land includes the infamous Trail of Tears, and more recently, when the land was involved in a land exchange for building the Blue Ridge Parkway, a promise that was never fulfilled. In cases like this where items are controversial, I give heavy weight to treating Native Americans fairly and whenever possible, to correct past injustices. This appears to meet that fundamental criterion and therefore I support it.”