[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1739-E1740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 1998

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Resources 
Committee, I have worked to advance and strengthen tribal self-
governments and promote private enterprise on our Nation's 
reservations. One tribe that has been a national leader in exercising 
its self-determination to build a strong tribal government and 
reservation-based economy is the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
  Through the vision of Chief Phillip Martin, the Tribe used its 
sovereignty to develop a tribal economy to foster a highly responsive 
approach to providing traditional government services on the 
reservation. When Chief Martin became leader of the Tribe, he knew that 
the tribal government had to assume responsibility of government 
functions rather than they rely on the Bureau of Indian Affairs to take 
care of its members.
  Dramatic gains have occurred during the past 20 years on the Choctaw 
Reservation. The average educational level of adult tribal members has 
jumped from sixth grade in the 1970s to twelfth grade today. Life 
expectancy has also increased by nearly twenty years, and infant 
mortality has declined substantially. Through the efforts of the 
Choctaw Housing Authority, housing for tribal members has risen above 
substantial levels.
  The tribal members of the Choctaw Tribe have worked extremely hard to 
achieve their vastly improved living standard. The innovative

[[Page E1740]]

approach to eradicating poverty on the reservation by reaching out to 
private businesses to invest in the tribe has been very successful for 
the Choctaws.
  I commend Chief Martin for believing in his tribe and taking the risk 
to develop the enterprises on the Choctaw Reservation. The restoration 
of the Choctaw Indian tribe is a great American success story of self-
reliance and sheer determination that we all can be proud.

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