[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NATIVE-AMERICAN HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                            HON. TIM JOHNSON

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
strong support for the Native American Housing and Self-Determination 
Act introduced by Housing Subcommittee Chairman Lazio. I am an original 
cosponsor of this bill because I believe there is a pressing need to 
assess and reorganize native American housing programs in this country. 
Chairman Lazio's bill is a strong step in the right direction. However, 
my primary concern in adding my name to this bill is to insure that the 
needs of native Americans in my State and across the country are given 
serious attention and consideration, and that Indian tribes have a 
leading role in the development of this lasting legislation.
  There are nine federally recognized tribes in South Dakota, whose 
members collectively make up one of the largest native American 
populations in any State. At the same time, South Dakota has 3 of the 
10 poorest counties in the Nation, all of which are within reservation 
boundaries. Unemployment on these extremely rural reservations averages 
about 50 percent. Yet economic depression on rural Indian reservations 
is not unique to my State. I believe strongly that housing is an 
integral and most basic component to economic development for Indian 
and non-Indian communities alike.
  Federal expenditures for social programs continue to exceed 
investments for economic growth in Indian country. Tribal leaders in my 
State and elsewhere have struggled to break the cycle of dependence 
upon the Federal Government. In keeping with this Nation's special 
trust responsibility to sovereign Indian nations, I believe Federal 
programs must promote the self-determination and self-sufficiency of 
Indian communities. I support the premise of the Native American 
Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act because Congress must 
prioritize programs which develop infrastructure on reservations and 
enhance economic growth for tribal communities. Additionally, the 
extreme health problems that many Indian communities face can be linked 
directly to inadequate housing, problems that can begin to be addressed 
through this Indian self-determination legislation.
  I agree with Chairman Lazio and the Native American Indian Housing 
Council that Indian housing should be divorced from public housing 
programs because of the unique needs of Indian country and the many 
economic challenges that must be overcome. I am particularly supportive 
of the funding initiative outlined in this legislation which is based 
on the section 108 loan guarantee for Community Development Block Grant 
funds. The flexibility in funding and in the administration of housing 
programs that this bill promotes is the key to tribal self-sufficiency 
and self-determination in housing management. Ultimately, this self-
determination will result in increased access to safe, affordable 
housing for native American people nationwide.
  The unique housing needs of Indian country warrant a continued 
Federal commitment to successful tribal housing programs. I look 
forward to working with Chairman Lazio, my colleagues, and Indian 
tribes nationwide to make the Native American Housing and Self-
Determination Act a reality, with the health and welfare of Indian 
tribes our foremost priority.

                          ____________________