[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E666-E667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO THE CREW OF THE COAST GUARD CUTTER ``BRAMBLE''

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 1996

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege to represent the 
constituents of the Tenth Congressional District in Michigan. This part 
of Michigan borders Lake Saint Clair, the Saint Clair River, and Lake 
Huron, one of the five Great Lakes. It is a beautiful area where our 
water resources are treasured as a source of recreation and commerce.
  The ice that forms on these waters in the winter is always 
impressive. In the spring, the ice often becomes treacherous for the 
fans of ice fishing. And, in some years, the ice is a major 
inconvenience, not only to shipping, but to the residents of places 
like Harsen's Island.
  Ice flows were particularly troublesome this spring. Mother Nature 
prevented the Harsen's Island ferry from operating, stranding the 
island's residents. Many freighters have had to wait near Detroit and 
Port Huron for the United States and Canadian Coast Guard ice cutters 
to clear a path. This year, the cutters' abilities were seriously 
challenged.
  However, in keeping with the U.S. Coast Guard's vision as ``the 
world's premier maritime service,'' the crew of the Bramble was 
``Sempter Paratus,'' always ready to perform their duties. In addition 
to breaking up the ice, the Bramble also provided emergency ferry 
service to the residents of Harsen's Island.
  We are truly fortunate to have people committed to serving our nation 
as members of the Coast Guard. Regardless of conditions, these 
professionals stand ready to assist people 24 hours a day.
  On behalf of the residents of Harsen's Island, and all of us who are 
grateful for the Coast Guard's devotion to duty, I ask that my 
colleagues join me in offering a sincere thank you to these 
``Lifesavers and Guardians of the Sea,'' especially to the crew members 
of the Bramble.

[[Page E667]]



          BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                           HON. J.D. HAYWORTH

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 1996

  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs Reorganization Act of 1996. This legislation will 
address the long-standing problem of an overly bureaucratic BIA which 
is often unresponsible to the trial constituencies it is supposed to 
serve.
  Since its establishment in 1824, the BIA has functioned as the lead 
agency through which the Federal Government carries out its trust 
responsibilities to native Americans. However, the evidence shows that 
the BIA largely fails to meet these obligations. Recent reports 
indicate that the BIA cannot account for billions of dollars it was 
supposed to hold in trust for native Americans. The Interior Department 
Inspector General has reported that many BIA school facilities are very 
poorly maintained and, in some cases, native American children must 
attend classes in buildings that have been condemned.
  Compounding these problems is the lack of tribal input into BIA 
priorities and operations. There have been several attempts to 
reorganize and reform the BIA, including, most recently, the Joint 
Tribal/BIA/DOI Reorganization Task Force. Despite the fact that the 
Joint Reorganization Task Force submitted its final recommendations in 
the fall of 1994, shortly thereafter the BIA proposed its own 
organizational reform plan. Most tribes opposed the BIA proposal, in 
large part because the BIA plan was not devised with tribal input and 
because it ignored several key recommendations of the Joint 
Reorganization Task Force which the tribes supported.
  The legislation that I am introducing, the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
Reorganization Act of 1996, will address these issues by allowing 
tribes to assume certain functions of the BIA. The bill requires the 
BIA to enter into negotiations with tribes to reorganize the agency. 
Tribes in the jurisdiction of each BIA Area Office will be allowed to 
decide which functions the BIA will continue to provide, and which 
functions the tribes will take over. These decisions may differ from 
region to region, as some tribes are more willing and able than others 
to administer particular services. Tribes which choose to perform 
certain BIA functions will receive corresponding BIA funds. Before any 
negotiated reorganization plan for a BIA Area Office is implemented, it 
must be approved by a majority of tribes in that region.
  As you can see, Mr. Speaker, this legislation does not prescribe a 
certain outcome to reorganization of the BIA, but instead requires the 
BIA to follow a particular process which respects the sovereignty of 
tribal governments and our trust responsibilities to native Americans. 
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has already approved 
legislation, authored by my colleague from Arizona, Senator John 
McCain, similar to the bill I am introducing today. I hope that my 
colleagues will join me in supporting this effort to reform the BIA.

                          ____________________