Political Quotes

“I am pleased to offer this bipartisan amendment that is based on the text of H.R. 4131, the Bring the Ancient One Home Act of 2015, which was bipartisan legislation introduced by the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Heck), my friend and colleague. I was very proud to cosponsor this bill, and I am honored to lead this amendment with my Pacific Northwest colleagues: Representatives Heck, Kilmer, and Walden. I appreciate their commitment to this important issue. Mr. Chairman, 20 years ago the skeletal remains of a human being determined to be roughly 9,000 years old were found on Federal land near the Columbia River in my central Washington district. These remains are often referred to as the Kennewick Man, but the tribes prefer the more respectful name of The Ancient One, which is how I will refer to him. Because The Ancient One was found on lands managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the nearly fully intact skeleton was turned over to the Corps. {time} 1700 The tribes involved--the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla and the Wanapum Band of Priest Rapids--have, for two decades, worked to repatriate the Ancient One and return him for proper burial that would follow practices used by these Columbia Basin tribes for thousands of years; or, as they say, for time immemorial.…”