Political Quotes

“I'm very pleased to yield 5 minutes to the author of this legislation, the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon). Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2467, the Bridgeport Indian Colony Land Trust, Health, and Economic Development Act of 2012. I want to thank Chairman Hastings and Ranking Member Markey, as well as subcommittee Chairman Young and Ranking Member Lujan, for giving my legislation a fair hearing and moving the bill through the committee. Mr. Speaker, the Bridgeport Indian Colony is a Federally recognized Indian tribe with a reservation located near the town of Bridgeport in Mono County, California. The tribe's reservation is approximately 40 acres and was established by Federal law in 1974. However, the size of the current reservation is insufficient for the tribe's housing and community development needs. In order to create space for economic development and housing, my legislation proposes to transfer from the BLM to the BIA to hold in trust for the tribe one parcel of land contiguous to the tribe's existing reservation, totaling approximately 31 acres. On this parcel, the tribe plans to construct an RV park, gas station, convenience store, and residential housing for tribal members, as well as a recreational center to serve the greater community. Mr. Speaker, many tribal members have expressed interest in moving back to the reservation if housing and job opportunities can be made available.…”