[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 15 (Monday, February 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Johnson):
  S. 374. A bill to provide compensation to the Lower Brule and Crow 
Creek Sioux Tribes of South Dakota for damage to tribal land caused by 
Pick-Sloan projects along the Missouri River; to the Committee on 
Indian Affairs.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Tribal Parity 
Act. I am proud to be joined by my colleague from South Dakota, Senator 
Johnson, in introducing this legislation.
  Several Indian tribes that border the Missouri River in South Dakota 
have been compensated for damage to their tribal lands caused by Pick-
Sloan projects. Unfortunately, the compensation provided to those 
tribes has not been consistent. This legislation will allow the Lower 
Brule and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes to be fairly compensated.
  The Tribal Parity Act passed the Senate three times during the 108th 
Congress, after being reported out of the Indian Affairs Committee 
without objection. This legislation has also been endorsed by the 
Governor of my home State, Governor Rounds, and a similar bill has been 
introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  I am committed to working with my colleagues to get this compensation 
for the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes. I hope we can pass it 
in an expeditious manner and send it to the House for timely 
consideration.
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