[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 248--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING 
         THE INDIVIDUAL INDIAN MONEY ACCOUNT TRUST FUND LAWSUIT

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Domenici, and Ms. 
Stabenow) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Indian Affairs:

                              S. Res. 248

       Whereas, in exchange for ceding hundreds of millions of 
     acres of land and other valuable consideration by Indian 
     tribes, the United States was obligated to protect Indian 
     funds and resources;
       Whereas, since the 19th century, the United States has held 
     Indian funds and resources in trust for the benefit of 
     Indians;
       Whereas the Senate reaffirms that in continuing to hold and 
     manage Indian funds and resources for the benefit of the 
     Indians, the United States should act in accordance with the 
     highest fiduciary standards;
       Whereas in 1996, a class action was brought against the 
     United States seeking a historical accounting of balances of 
     individual Indian money accounts;
       Whereas after 8 years of litigation and the expenditure of 
     hundreds of millions of dollars in Federal funds, the Senate 
     believes that continued litigation will not provide 
     significant benefits to, or serve the interests of, the 
     members of the class; and
       Whereas, subsequent to the filing of the class action, the 
     Indians and the United States have tried without success to 
     reach settlement of the Indian claims: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

       It is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the interests of Indians and the United States would 
     best be served by a voluntary alternative claims resolution 
     process that will lead to a full, fair, and final settlement 
     of potential individual Indian money account claims; and
       (2) legislation is necessary to establish a voluntary 
     alternative claims resolution process and achieve a full, 
     fair, and final settlement of potential individual Indian 
     money account claims.

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