[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ``CHANGE THE MASCOT'' CAMPAIGN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 9, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I was honored to participate in a 
symposium led by the Oneida Indian Nation in support of the ``Change 
the Mascot'' campaign. The discussion gave voice to many serious 
concerns with the continued use of the disparaging slur ``Redskins'' as 
the name of Washington's National Football League (NFL) team. I commend 
and congratulate Ray Halbritter of the Oneida Indian Nation for his 
leadership and the tremendous effort put forth by his community to 
raise national awareness of this issue. Below are my remarks from the 
symposium for the Congressional record:
  Good morning. It is my honor to be here today to support the ``Change 
the Mascot'' campaign. The ``Change the Mascot'' campaign is advancing 
a national dialogue, which is important for Native Americans and all 
Americans to have.
  There are more than 5 million Native Americans in the U.S. They are 
our neighbors and friends--children, elders, moms and dads, men and 
women--who care about their culture, their communities, and their 
country.
  Native Americans are not mascots or caricatures to be exploited for 
profit--not by the NFL or any professional sports team owner. They 
should never be stereotyped in a dehumanizing, degrading, or demeaning 
manner.
  In the year 2013, for the NFL and a team owner to be so driven by 
profit that this clearly racist mascot continues to be promoted and 
defended is truly outrageous. But it has not gone unnoticed. That is 
why we are here today as part of the ``Change the Mascot'' campaign. 
And change is coming.
  Let me quote from the September 13, 2013 editorial by the Washington 
Post: ``We hope, too, that Mr. Snyder finally understands that the 
team's name . . . is a racial slur of Native Americans so offensive 
that it should no longer be tolerated.'' They go on to say: ``Mr. 
Snyder should be prepared for the controversy never to end.''
  There is no dignity or respect in the exploitation perpetrated for 
profit by the NFL and Dan Snyder's football business. They are 
promoting a racist slur that must change. And, this campaign is going 
to keep advancing until that name is changed.
  It is my honor to represent Native American families in my 
Congressional District and throughout Minnesota. In Minnesota, we have 
eleven Sioux and Ojibwe Nations that have a long and very proud history 
of contributing to the strength, diversity, and success of our State. 
In one month--on November 7th--my team, the Minnesota Vikings, will 
host Washington's football team. That night I am sure the ``Change the 
Mascot'' campaign will have a big presence in the Twin Cities. I look 
forward to welcoming you, Ray!
  I want to recognize one colleague who is not here today, but has been 
the leading voice in Congress on this issue--Delegate Eni Faleomavaega 
who represents American Samoa. He is the author of legislation that 
would end federal trademark protection for the term ``Redskin''. I am 
proud to be a co-sponsor, along with Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. 
And this issue isn't going away.
  The hired PR folks, who are now defending Mr. Snyder's football team, 
cite outdated polls of Native Americans and talk about history and 
tradition. It's all rubbish and corporate spin to keep the profits 
flowing.
  Mr. Snyder, change the mascot. End this ugly history and tradition of 
your team's racist slur and pick a new mascot that offends no one--
hurts no one--dehumanizes no one.
  It's time to put dignity and respect for Native people ahead of your 
profits.

                          ____________________