On the recordFebruary 17, 2011
I rise to reintroduce the Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2011. This legislation passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009. It would grant Federal recognition to 6 Native American tribes from the Commonwealth of Virginia. I am pleased to be joined by Senator Mark Warner and in the U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Moran, Congressman Scott and Congressman Connolly, all of whom have been strong advocates for Virginia's Native American Tribes in past Congresses. The 6 Virginia tribes covered under this bill began seeking Federal recognition more than 15 years ago. They are the Chickahominy, Chickahominy Indian Tribe Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi, the Rappahannock, the Monacan, and the Nansemond Indian Tribe. The 6 Virginia Tribes covered in this legislation are the direct descendants of the tribes that helped ensure the survival of the first permanent English colony in the New World. These 6 tribes have received State recognition as early as 1983, and have received strong bipartisan support from the Virginia General Assembly for Federal recognition. It is appropriate for them to finally receive the Federal recognition that has been denied for far too long.
