[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 77 (Thursday, May 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1294, THOMASINA E. JORDAN INDIAN 
           TRIBES OF VIRGINIA FEDERAL RECOGNITION ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 8, 2007

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill. I 
applaud the precedent set here, which subjects any casino projects to 
state laws and does not allow the tribes special gaming privileges. In 
considering this bill, I hope that we will be consistent in the tribes 
we support, especially when there is a potential for gaming. Native 
American communities rightly deserve to have sovereign control over 
their land, including the capacity to use tribal-run businesses to 
raise funds for the tribe. However, I oppose using lands not associated 
with the tribe or newly acquired lands for building casinos. My 
opposition stems from my own experience with legislation to federally 
recognize tribes. Vocal communities in my district have consistently 
stood up against the proliferating problem of off-reservation gaming--
and we must do more to stop the most egregious forms of reservation 
shopping allowed by IGRA. Thus, it's important that we proceed with 
caution as we move forward with tribal recognition legislation, and 
that we make our intents transparent.

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