[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               GOVERNMENT THAT GOVERNS LEAST GOVERNS BEST

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, everyone outside of the bloated Federal 
bureaucracy knows that government that governs least governs best.
  Never was this more apparent than on Friday when California reached a 
historic agreement with local Indians regarding Indian gaming in 
California. In fact, the tribal chairman there is quoted as saying ``a 
turning point in tribal-state relations'' has been reached.
  The real significance of this agreement, however, lies more in its 
origin than in its content. Despite numerous attempts by Secretary 
Babbitt to back-door his way into negotiations and the approval 
process, California has rightly asserted its sovereign status and 
jurisdiction. This compromise between California and sovereign Indian 
nations is proof that Federal intervention was not necessary, nor would 
it have been appropriate in this issue. California correctly and 
repeatedly told the Interior Department to butt out, that they do not 
need to be told by the Federal Government what is best for their State. 
Now we have proof. The Tenth Amendment works.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 3094, a bill which will ensure 
that no State must sit back while the Federal Government tramples the 
Constitution and blatantly disregards their sovereignty.

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