[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 150 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TITLE VII OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I submit the following 
clarification to the fiscal year 1998 Interior and related agencies 
appropriations bill on behalf of myself and Senator Mack. I ask that it 
be printed in the Record.
  The clarification follows:

  Mack-Graham Statement Concerning Title VII of the Fiscal Year 1998 
                      Interior Appropriations Bill

  Title VII of the FY'98 Interior Appropriations Bill approves and 
implements a settlement between the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of 
Florida and the Florida Department of Transportation. It should be 
understood that the lawsuit referred to in section 702(2) and elsewhere 
has already been dismissed. However, since the lawsuit formed the 
underlaying basis of the dispute and could be revived absent this 
settlement, the settlement and this legislation refers to the lawsuit 
and settles all claims based on the underlying facts of the lawsuit. It 
should also be understood that the concurrence of the Board of Trustees 
of the International Improvements Trust Fund referred to in section 
702(7)(B)(ii) relates only to the transfer of land to which the Board 
holds title. Insofar as the settlement provides for such land transfers 
wherein the Board has certain responsibilities, the Board concurs. The 
Board has taken no position with respect to other parts of the 
settlement regarding which the Board has no responsibility and which 
are instead within the authority and responsibility of the Florida 
Department of Transportation, which has executed the 
settlement.

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