[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 64 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E636-E637]
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

                        Thursday, April 30, 2015

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to reintroduce the Duwamish Tribal 
Recognition

[[Page E637]]

Act. This legislation addresses a longstanding issue that affects the 
indigenous people of Seattle's metropolitan area. This year marks the 
160th year since the Duwamish Tribe signed the Point Elliott Treaty in 
1855. In exchange for the reservation and other benefits including 
hunting and fishing rights promised in the Point Elliott Treaty by the 
United States government, the Duwamish Tribe ceded 54,000 acres of 
their homeland. Today, those 54,000 acres include the cities of 
Bellevue, Mercer Island Renton, Seattle, Tukwila, and much of King 
County.
  The Duwamish people's struggle for federal recognition continues. It 
was granted to them in 2001, but then denied under dubious 
circumstances after just eight months. On September 2001, George W. 
Bush's Interior Department's administration officials denied the 
recognition of the Duwamish Tribe. U.S. District Judge Coughenour 
vacated the administration's denial through statements expressing 
concern on how ``plaintiffs should not be left to wonder why one 
administration thought their petition should be considered under both 
sets of rules, but a second one did not.'' I agree with Judge 
Coughenour.
  It has been a long fight for federal recognition of the Duwamish 
people. During that time 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 included in the current 
record filed over twenty years ago.
  I have asked the Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, to look 
into this matter as I believe this bill will provide the federal 
recognition to which the Duwamish Tribe has long been entitled. I urge 
my colleagues to support this measure.

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