[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______


                            HON. SONNY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 1996

  Mr. BONO. Mr. Speaker, during consideration of the fiscal year 1997 
House Interior appropriations bill, I was detained and unable to make 
rollcall vote No. 263, the amendment by Mr. Istook. Had I been able to 
make the vote, I would have voted against the amendment. In my view, 
the amendment's policy is unfair to the tribes of this country and 
undermines tribal sovereignty and the tribal right to self-
determination, both of which I strongly support. The amendment reflects 
a major departure from our efforts to respect tribal sovereignty and 
self-determination. Such a significant change in policy should not be 
attached to an appropriations bill, but should be considered thoroughly 
and thoughtfully through the standard legislative process. For these 
reasons, I adamantly oppose the policy of the amendment, and would have 
voted against the Istook amendment and any variation thereof.

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