[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 248 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

  1st Session
S. RES. 248

  Expressing the Sense of the Senate concerning the individual Indian 
                   money account trust fund lawsuit.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 21, 2003

Mr. Campbell (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Domenici, Ms. Stabenow, and 
 Mr. Smith) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Indian Affairs

                           November 19, 2004

                   Considered, amended, and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the Sense of the Senate concerning the individual Indian 
                   money account trust fund lawsuit.

Whereas since the 19th century, the United States has held Indian funds and 
        resources in trust for the benefit of Indians, and in its capacity as 
        trustee, is obligated to protect those funds and resources;
Whereas the Senate reaffirms that in continuing to hold and manage Indian funds 
        and resources for the benefit of the Indians, the United States must act 
        in accordance with all applicable standards and duties of care;
Whereas in 1996, a class action was brought against the United States seeking an 
        accounting of balances of individual Indian money accounts and 
        rehabilitation of the trust system;
Whereas after 8 years of litigation and the expenditure of tens of millions of 
        dollars in Federal funds, the Senate believes that there is a 
        demonstrated need to assist and encourage the parties in reaching a 
        full, fair, and final resolution to the class action litigation; and
Whereas the resolution of the class action litigation may be achieved through 
        alternative dispute resolution processes, including mediation: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

    It is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) the interests of the Indian beneficiaries and the United States 
        would best be served by a voluntary alternative dispute resolution 
        process, not limited to mediation, that will lead to a full, fair, and 
        final resolution of potential individual Indian money account claims; 
        and
            (2) Federal legislation may be necessary to ensure a full, fair, and 
        final resolution of the class action litigation.
                                 <all>