[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         LUMBEE RECOGNITION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2007

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 65, 
the Lumbee Recognition Act, and I commend my esteemed colleague from 
North Carolina, Mr. McIntyre, for his leadership on behalf of the 
Lumbee Tribe to gain Federal recognition which I believe is long 
overdue for the Lumbees.
  More than a century ago, the State of North Carolina had come to 
terms with a tribe of Native Americans descended by the historic Cheraw 
and related Siouan-speaking tribe located on Drowning Creek in North 
Carolina. In 1885, along with State recognition of the Lumbee Tribe 
came the establishment of a separate school system for Lumbee children 
to help preserve and respect both tribal ancestry and cultural 
practices. Shortly after State recognition, the Lumbee Tribe sought to 
attain Federal Recognition.
  The issue of Lumbee recognition before this Congress, which began in 
the late 1800's, is both voluminous and lengthy. What has been made 
explicitly clear, however, is that the Lumbee Tribe is a distinct self-
governing Indian community. Yet for reasons that have been either 
fiscal in nature or contrary to Federal Indian policy Congress has 
failed to act. Again, however, the Congressional record is abundantly 
and overwhelmingly clear that the Lumbee Tribe meet a threshold for 
Congress to bestow it Federal recognition without prohibitions.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 65.

                          ____________________