[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1750]]



   BILL TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE MICCO- SUKEE TRIBE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
very important bill which will carry out the longstanding intent of 
Congress in preserving and protecting the rights of Miccosukee Tribe of 
Indians of Florida. This bill is introduced in a truly bipartisan 
fashion, with my Florida colleagues Congresswoman Carrie Meek, and 
Congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Dan Miller joining me as original 
cosponsors.
  This legislation allows for the good people of the Miccosukee Tribe 
to live in perpetuity in the so-called permit area of Everglades 
National Park. The Miccosukees have lived and worked for generations in 
this area. The rights of the Miccosukees are recognized by the 
Everglades National Park Enabling Act of 1934 and their special use 
permit.
  In 1934, the Everglades National Park Enabling Act specifically 
provided that rights of the Indians were protected. Subsequently, in 
1962, and 1973, the tribe was guaranteed that they could build homes, 
schools, clinics, and other tribal buildings in the 300-plus acres 
identified in their special use permit.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the Park Service now seeks to restrict 
Miccosukee activites on their own land--even after the tribe has 
complied with all Federal, States, and local laws. The intent of this 
Congress in 1934 was to guarantee the Indians the freedom to live, 
work, and govern themselves as they wish in this area, not to be 
governed by the National Park Service. This bill will allow for 
Miccosukee self-government to continue.
  These Indians seek nothing more than what we promised them when we 
passed the park bill in 1934, nothing more than was said on the floor 
of this House, nothing more than the Department of the Interior 
confirmed in the special use permit. In 1960, Justice Hugo Black wrote, 
``Great nations, like great men, should keep their promise.'' With this 
bill, we keep our promise to these native Americans, to these fellow 
citizens of the United States.
  They deserve nothing less.

                          ____________________