[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E114-E115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX TRIBE EQUITABLE COMPENSATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 
                                  2007

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2007

  Ms. HERSETH. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to introduce the 
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Amendments Act of 
2007.
  The act will help to right a historic wrong that occurred during the 
construction of the Oahe Dam and Reservoir which inundated over 100,000 
acres of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe's best lands. For many years, 
the tribe was not provided adequate compensation.
  Recognizing this wrong, Congress moved to compensate the tribe in 
2000 by establishing a trust fund. While these actions were 
commendable, they left one important group behind--tribal members that 
lost privately owned lands. This act would correct that omission and 
give the tribe the discretion to distribute funds to individuals who 
are currently prohibited from receiving them.
  I introduced similar legislation in the 109th Congress and was 
pleased to see it considered by the then-House Resources Committee's 
Subcommittee on Water and Power. Examination of the bill at a 
subcommittee hearing generated a number of constructive suggestions 
and, after additional consultation with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, 
committee staff, and administration officials, we were able to make a 
number of positive changes to the bill.
  Though a revised version of the bill failed to pass the House last 
year, its companion passed the Senate in the last moments of the

[[Page E115]]

109th Congress. Today, I rise to introduce a version of the Cheyenne 
River Sioux Equitable Compensation Amendments Act that reflects the 
positive collaboration from last year and has already enjoyed the 
approval of the Senate. It is my sincere hope that the House will 
recognize that work by approving this legislation as soon as possible.
  The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Equitable Compensation Amendments Act 
would finally provide just compensation for the taking of lands over 50 
years ago. I urge its swift consideration and passage.

                          ____________________