[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 143 (Sunday, October 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2072-E2073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support for S. 
459, a measure to reauthorize the Native American Programs Act of 1974. 
The purpose of this bill is to amend the Native American Programs Act 
to extend the authorization to fiscal year 2000 of appropriations for 
programs administered by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) 
with the Department of Health and Human Services. This legislation 
would also reauthorize, for a period of 1 year, the Native Hawaiian 
revolving loan fund.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is critical to continue the 
availability of a modest amount of grant funds used by native 
communities nationwide to foster economic growth, develop tools for 
good governance and promote social welfare.
  In 1974, the Native American Programs Act was enacted by Congress to 
assist tribes and other Native American communities with developing 
social, economic, and governance strategies in order to become 
economically self-sufficient. Since its enactment, hundreds of tribes, 
reservation communities, and other native organizations have benefited 
from the programs funded under this Act, programs which foster the 
development of stable, diversified local economies by developing the 
physical, commercial, industrial and/or agricultural components 
necessary for a functioning economic base.
  ANA has provided grants for governance, social, and economic 
development projects; grants to assist with tribal recognition efforts; 
grants for projects to assist tribes in their capacity to meet 
environmental requirements; grants to support projects which promote 
the survival and preservation of Native American languages and funds to 
support the Native Hawaiian revolving loan fund. These projects

[[Page E2073]]

have served to improve the quality of living for thousands of Native 
American families and communities.
  The ANA funding policy is to assist Indian Tribes and Native American 
organizations to plan and implement their own long-term strategies for 
social and economic development. The aim is to increase local 
productivity and reduce dependence on government social services. This 
legislation will extend until fiscal year 2000 the authorization for 
these modestly funded yet very successful programs to strengthen and 
rebuild tribal communities around the United States.
  I wish to thank my good friends, Senator Campbell, Senator Inouye and 
Senator Murkowski for their efforts to extend the authorization for 
these valuable resources to improve opportunities for self-sufficiency 
for Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other native 
peoples.
  Mr. Speaker, the programs authorized in this measure are critical to 
fostering social and economic self-sufficiency--a goal shared by this 
Congress as we move toward greater fiscal responsibility in all 
American communities. I urge my colleagues to act favorably and 
expeditiously on this measure.

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