[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF SILETZ INDIANS ON THE 26TH 
         ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESTORATION TO FEDERAL RECOGNITION

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                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2003

  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians as they celebrate their 26th 
anniversary of the Restoration to Federal Recognition on November 15, 
2003.
  The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is a confederation of 27 
tribes which originally ranged from Northern California to Southern 
Washington. In 1954, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians were one 
of many tribes whose federal status was terminated by Congress, and all 
their lands were taken away. The Siletz reservation, which once 
exceeded 1.1 million acres was completely gone, and the confederation 
was no longer recognized.
  While nothing could destroy the tribes' culture and traditions that 
were passed from generation to generation, the lack of federal 
recognition and support hurt the Siletz.
  In the late 1960s, a group of tribal members which recognized the 
severe effects that the termination was having on the tribe began to 
work to reverse the effects. They restored the tribal cemetery and 
created programs for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, job training, and 
other social services. As they worked to fight against the ills that 
termination had brought on, the group realized that it must regain its 
federal recognition.
  After many years of intense lobbying, the tribe regained its federal 
recognition on November 18th, 1977 when President Carter signed an act 
of Congress restoring the Siletz. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz 
Indians were the second tribe in the Untied States and the first in 
Oregon to have their federal recognition restored.
  Since being restored, the tribe has blossomed and re-established 
nearly all of its institutions of government. This re-establishment of 
tribal government has led to better service programs and economic 
growth which in turn has led to greater preservation of tribal history 
and tradition.
  With its recognition restored and tribal government re-established, 
the tribe began to grow, and that growth continues to this day. In 
1983, a community center was built, serving as an all-purpose gathering 
place for tribal and non-tribal activities. 1991 brought the addition 
of a community health clinic which serves all members of the community, 
tribal and non-tribal. An administration building was developed in 1995 
which provides many services to tribal members on the reservation and 
in eleven surrounding counties in Oregon.
  In 1995 the tribe developed its biggest economic project to date, the 
Chinook Winds Casino and Convention Center. This venture, combined with 
the other tribal projects, made the tribe one of the largest employers 
in Lincoln County.
  This growth didn't end with the creation of the casino and convention 
center. Since 1995, the tribe has built a Dance House, the Siletz 
Tribal Business Corporation, and most recently the Siletz Valley 
School. The school, a public charter school that serves 170 children 
from the surrounding community, was opened after the local school 
closed due to budget cuts.
  As you can see, since their successful fight to regain federal 
recognition, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have been 
dedicated to improving the lives of their 4,000 members as well as the 
lives of the people of Oregon. One of the best examples of this 
dedication to improvement is the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution 
Fund, which has distributed more than $1.5 million to projects in 
Oregon.
  Today it is my pleasure to honor and recognize the Confederated 
Tribes of Siletz Indians as they celebrate their 26th anniversary of 
their Restoration to Federal Recognition.

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