Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this longstanding issue has been one that has been before many Congresses, so I appreciate Mr. Butterfield for his efforts and Mr. Bishop--both of them North Carolina Representatives--for bringing their State together and coming up with a cooperative way of doing it. The issue with the Lumbees goes back to 1956, as has been mentioned, but also had, starting in 1988 and 1989 and finishing in the last administration, conflicting opinions from solicitors of the Interior Department that have caused this problem regarding the Lumbee Tribe on what they may or may not pursue as far as administrative recognition or other issues that are dealt with. So the proper way when there are conflicting opinions, especially coming from the executive branch, is for Congress to stand up and do its responsibility and its duty, and that is what H.R. 1964--which was a wonderful year for me; I remember it very well--does is allow Congress to do its responsibility by taking these conflicting opinions and stating what is the purpose and intent of Congress. This is the right way of doing things. Far too often have we tried to use administrative shortcuts when, in essence, we find out that it produces long-term problems for us.…”