"I strongly believe that our recent commemoration of the 400 years of modern Virginia history will be incomplete without successful Federal recognition of these Virginia Tribes."
"How can we commemorate their history and not recognize their existence? Now is the time to reconcile history."
"These factors in and of themselves don't necessarily mean tribal recognition is not warranted for the Lumbee or the six Virginia tribes."
"To begin, I want to thank the Chair for your leadership on this issue and your support for the Virginia tribes."
"Recognition of a tribe conveys a unique set of benefits, legal immunities and responsibilities."
"I hope the Committee carefully considers whether it would be more appropriate to defer to this process."
"These applications have been denied as incomplete."
"Neither of these reasons should stand as a bar to recognition of these tribes."
"It is a matter of fundamental fairness to ensure recognition is not given in an arbitrary manner."
"It should not be held against these tribes that they made peace with our people before there was an American government."
"The second reason is a more sinister reason."