[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1187 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1187

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act 
                                of 1988.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 21, 2018

 Mrs. Torres (for herself, Mr. Cole, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Young of Alaska, 
 Ms. McCollum, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Grijalva, and Mr. Cardenas) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act 
                                of 1988.

Whereas the United States and Indian Tribes have a unique Government-to-
        Government relationship set out in the Constitution, treaties, and 
        statutes and affirmed through centuries of court precedent;
Whereas it is a principal goal of Federal Indian policy to promote Tribal 
        economic development, Tribal self-sufficiency, and strong Tribal 
        Governments;
Whereas the Supreme Court's landmark 1987 decision in California v. Cabazon Band 
        of Mission Indians recognized the inherent sovereign authority of Indian 
        Tribes to regulate gaming within their Tribal jurisdictions;
Whereas the ruling opened the door for the 100th United States Congress to enact 
        the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to foster Tribal economic development 
        and regulate Indian gaming which has ultimately revitalized Tribal 
        economies across Indian country;
Whereas Congress wrote the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 to carefully 
        balance Tribal, Federal, and State government interests;
Whereas the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 aims to strengthen Tribal self-
        sufficiency and self-determination, promote economic development, and 
        protect the integrity of Indian gaming to ensure that Indian Tribes are 
        the primary beneficiaries of their gaming operations;
Whereas Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 on September 
        27, 1988, and President Reagan signed the Act into law on October 17, 
        1988;
Whereas, as a result of the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 
        1988, the American public has not only seen economic improvements in 
        Tribal communities, they have also benefitted from the economic 
        development Indian gaming generates in local communities surrounding 
        reservations;
Whereas in the 30 years since the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 
        1988, Indian gaming has responsibly grown to provide a steady source of 
        revenue for more than 240 Tribes in 29 States;
Whereas according to the National Indian Gaming Commission, as of 2017, Indian 
        gaming has grown into a $32,400,000,000 industry that is rebuilding 
        Native American communities, educating a generation of new Native 
        leaders, and providing jobs to nearly 700,000 American families across 
        the country;
Whereas throughout Indian country, Indian gaming has enabled Tribal Governments 
        to make significant investments in education, health care, social 
        services, and cultural preservation;
Whereas past Federal policies of forced assimilation and relocation sought to 
        suppress Native language, culture, and religion, Indian gaming is 
        helping empower Tribes to preserve and foster Native culture by funding 
        Tribal programs that promote and elevate Native identity;
Whereas there are still Tribal communities that are not able to prosper through 
        gaming and still too many Tribal communities that remain impoverished;
Whereas the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 remains a vital tool for Tribal 
        self-determination and economic development; and
Whereas the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act has served as a central pillar 
        upholding the integrity of Indian gaming: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives commemorates the 30th 
anniversary of the enactment of Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.
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