[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 41 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   THE AUBURN INDIAN RESTORATION ACT

                                 ______


                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 1994

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the 
Auburn Indian Restoration Act. The bill is cosponsored by 
Representative Doolittle and I note that the tribe is located in the 
district. The bill is also cosponsored by Representative Richardson, 
the chairman of the Subcommittee on Native American Affairs.
  The bill restores the rights and privileges of Indian tribes to the 
United Auburn Indian Community. This Indian tribe was terminated by 
Congress under the act of August 18, 1958 (P.L. 85-671).
  The policy of terminating Indian tribes during the 1950's was a 
dismal failure. The termination policy simply meant severing the 
Federal trust responsibility which flows from the United States to 
Indian tribes. Although this trust relationship was promised to last 
into perpetuity through treaties and statutes, during the 1950's the 
Congress unilaterally determined that it would end the trust 
relationship between the Federal Government and several Indian tribes. 
The Auburn Rancheria was terminated under a 1958 act which ended the 
trust relationship with 41 California Rancherias.
  The results of the Federal termination policy were increased poverty 
and despair among terminated tribes. Many tribal members were forced on 
to State welfare rolls. Others relocated from tribal lands, were 
dispersed and ceased to act as tribes.
  In 1973, the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin which had been terminated, 
petitioned the Congress for restoration. Because these tribes were 
terminated by statute, legislative restoration was the only way to 
restore the Federal trust responsibility. The fight to restore 
Menominee was led successfully by Ada Deer who today is the Assistant 
Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Indeed, 
times have changed.
  Since Ada Deer and the Menominee led the way 20 years ago, almost all 
of the approximately 120 terminated tribes have been restored.
  The Catawba of South Carolina were restored by statute last year. 
There are still several tribes who remain terminated. The restoration 
of the California Rancherias will truly signal an end to the 
unfortunate era. The bill is the first step for the Auburn Indian 
Community.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the restoration of the 
Auburn Indian Community.

                          ____________________