[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1535-E1536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO PROHIBIT TAX-EXEMPT STATUS TO 
 PROFESSIONAL SPORTS LEAGUES THAT PROMOTE THE USE OF THE TERM REDSKINS

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce a bill that would amend 
section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit tax-exempt 
status to professional sports leagues that promote or allow a member 
club or franchise connected to that league to promote the use of the 
term ``Redskins.'' Senator Maria Cantwell has introduced the same bill 
in the Senate.
  Currently, the National Football League (NFL) is a not-for-profit 
501(c)(6) ``business league'' organization that receives tax-exempt 
status. It is the nation's largest sports franchise, generating almost 
$10 billion annually. Unlike some of its counterparts--the National 
Basketball Association and Major League Baseball, for example--it 
operates as a nonprofit, which allows for its profits to trickle down 
to its 32 teams, including the Washington football team.
  Over 300 tribes and two million Native Americans, as well as 
religious and human rights organizations, have called on NFL 
Commissioner Roger Goodell and Daniel Snyder, the Washington football 
team owner, to change the name of the Washington football team because 
the name and mascot insult native people. In addition, several media 
outlets around the country no longer print or use the term ``Redskins'' 
when referring to the Washington football team because the term is 
offensive.
  On June 18, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, in a 
landmark decision (Blackhorse v. Pro Football, Inc.), found the name 
used by the Washington football team to be disparaging to Native 
Americans and not deserving of trademark protection, and cancelled 
federal trademark protection for the ``Redskins'' trademarks. While the 
ruling did not persuade Daniel Snyder or Roger Goodell to change the 
name, the ruling has the potential to affect the profits received from 
the sale of the team's merchandise.
  American taxpayers have been subsidizing a multibillion dollar league 
that promotes what has now been officially found to be a racial slur 
for profitable gain. Relief from taxes should no longer be given to a 
league that profits from the continued use of a racial slur, which 
degrades some Americans. As an organization that enjoys tax-exempt 
benefits, the NFL also has a duty to American taxpayers to

[[Page E1536]]

ensure that its teams are not promoting or benefitting from a racial 
slur. This bill would revoke the tax-exempt status of professional 
sports leagues that choose to continue to use the offensive and 
derogatory term ``Redskins.''
  Because this bill only revokes the tax-exempt status of leagues that 
promote the use of the term ``Redskins,'' it would not affect other 
leagues that fall under the same 501(c)(6) tax exemption such as the 
Professional Golfers Association and the National Hockey League.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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