[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E133-E134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2010, H.R. 725

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 725, the 
Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2010.
  Our history has been richly shaped by native cultures, and it is only 
appropriate we protect these important contributions of Native 
Americans and other indigenous people. American Indian and Alaska 
Native arts and crafts are devalued when unscrupulous merchants promote 
and market products as ``Indian made'' when they are not. To address 
this problem, Congress passed the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 
(PL 101-644), which is a truth-in-advertising law that makes it illegal 
to sell or produce any imitation Indian art or craft.
  Despite these efforts, the sale of counterfeit Indian arts and crafts 
continues all too often and very few cases are investigated. Those who 
produce imitation Indian products should be investigated and punished, 
and the punishment needs to be sufficient to deter this fraudulent 
practice. These amendments strengthen penalties and allow Federal, 
State, and local law enforcement to investigate and enforce cases of 
imitation Indian goods.
  As a member of the House Arts Caucus and of the Congressional Native 
American Caucus,

[[Page E134]]

I value the importance of Indian arts and crafts to the preservation 
and strength of Native American culture and tradition. For these 
reasons, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 725.

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