Political Quotes

“I rise today to speak on behalf of S. 1074, the Thomasina Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2013. This is a bill granting Federal recognition to six Indian tribes. The bill has recently been reported out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and I want to thank Chairman Tester, the former chairwoman, Senator Cantwell, and all members of the Committee for this action. These six Indian tribes--the Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Monacan, and Nansemond--are among the best known tribes in American history, but they have never received Federal recognition. Madam President, 566 tribes have received Federal recognition--the vast majority by congressional action--but these tribes have not been recognized. The story of these tribes and why they have never been recognized is why I take the floor. It is an amazing story but it is also a deeply tragic story. But the tragedy can be redeemed if Congress acts to correct a gross historical injustice that has deprived these tribes of their rightful place. This is about a full accounting of our past, but it is also about a fair and truthful recognition of living people who have maintained their own tribal identity, customs, and traditions against unbelievable odds for hundreds of years. The English settlers who arrived at Jamestown in 1607 established a settlement on an island, on land that was already under the control of the Powhatan Indians.…”