[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 56 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PUYALLUP INDIAN TRIBE LAND CLAIMS SETTLEMENT

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                               speech of

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 2006

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that today the 
House of Representatives passed S. 1382, a bill which would allow the 
Puyallup Indian Tribe to convert parts of their tribal land into a 
Trust held by the Department of the Interior.
  The Puyallup Tribe has worked in partnership with the State of 
Washington, the Port of Tacoma, Pierce County, the Cities of Fife, 
Puyallup, and Tacoma to finalize an arrangement that will enable more 
than $450 million in new investment and create an estimated 4,000 
construction jobs and nearly 6,000 permanent jobs in Pierce County. 
Under the multi-party agreement--which builds on the 1988 Puyallup 
Indian Land Claims Settlement--relocation of some of the tribal lands 
will enable construction of a major new container terminal on the Blair 
Waterway.
  S. 1382 is critical to the success of this broad-based agreement, and 
I look forward to the President signing this important legislation into 
law so that it can be fully implemented and the region can realize the 
benefits. I commend all parties involved on the way they worked 
together to allow for this expansion which will be an economic driver 
for the region.

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