Political Quotes

“These letters outline the importance to both our Native communities in Washington State and the futures of indigenous people around the country. To quote from the Yakama Nation, Chairman Goudy's letter: ``As the Yakama Nation testified in Olympia, there needs to be a genuine response to the reports of missing and murdered Native women and girls across Tribal lands.'' Chairman Goudy continues: ``Also, all new legislation needs to be guided by a clear strategic framework and principles to move beyond the current conditions endangering the lives and future generations of Native women and girls.'' The unique perspective of Native communities like that of the Yakama Nation are invaluable, Mr. Speaker, as we continue to debate the best policies moving forward that will actually provide solutions to this crisis. So I respectfully repeat my invitation to the House Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on Natural Resources to come to my congressional district in central Washington, and I can promise all those members and chairmen the insight they will gain will help them realize how this crisis truly affects our friends and neighbors on and off Tribal lands. Mr. Speaker, you have heard tonight how this devastating crisis affects Tribes, States, and congressional districts across the country. It is easy to focus on these heartbreaking statistics, but these women are more than just numbers. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, neighbors, and friends.…”