[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REINTRODUCING DUWAMISH TRIBAL RECOGNITION ACT

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                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 2013

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce the Duwamish 
Tribal Recognition Act affecting the indigenous people of metropolitan 
Seattle. Nearly 150 years after the Duwamish Tribe signed the Point 
Elliott Treaty in 1855, they are still seeking federal recognition, 
which was granted to them in 2001 but denied under dubious 
circumstances eight months later.
  On March 22, 2013, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour vacated the 
September 2001 denial of the Duwamish Tribe's recognition by George W. 
Bush administration officials in the Interior Department. As Judge 
Coughenour stated, ``plaintiffs should not be left to wonder why one 
administration thought their petition should be considered under both 
sets of rules, but a second did not.'' I agree.
  This issue of Duwamish recognition has been pending for so long that 
the Interior Department's rules for federal recognition of tribes have 
changed from the original regulations set in 1978 to those that were 
revised in 1994. There is significant evidence to support Duwamish 
recognition that is not in current record, which was filed 20 years 
ago.
  I have asked the new Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to look 
into this matter. Meanwhile, this bill would provide federal 
recognition to the Duwamish Tribe.
  I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Thank you.

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