[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 144 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT OF TRIBES TO STOP THE EXPORT OF CULTURAL AND 
                    TRADITIONAL PATRIMONY RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. TOM COLE

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2016

  Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
122, the Protection of the Right of Tribes to stop the Export of 
Cultural and Traditional (PROTECT) Patrimony Resolution. I joined as an 
original cosponsor of the Resolution, which was introduced by 
Congressman Pearce, and I am pleased that it has gathered broad 
bipartisan support. This resolution is an important first step in 
resolving an issue for all of Indian Country: protecting Native 
American cultural objects from removal and trafficking and ensuring 
their repatriation back to their tribal owners.
  There are many tribes located within my district. They, like other 
tribes around the country, strive to protect their cultural heritage 
and traditional ways of life. Possession and protection of their 
cultural objects, including their sacred objects and objects of 
cultural patrimony, is imperative for tribes' cultural practices and 
their ability to pass those practices down to future generations. These 
items or objects are distinct from the many wonderful works of tribal 
arts and crafts that tribes proudly share with the world. Objects of 
cultural patrimony have such ongoing historical, traditional, or 
cultural importance to a tribe that they are considered communally 
owned and protected as such.
  Unfortunately, many seek tribes' cultural objects for their artistic 
value, not understanding that to tribes they mean so much more. These 
cultural objects end up being taken from tribes and trafficked 
domestically and abroad. Once abroad, tribes are forced to fight often-
losing battles to regain possession of them.
  We as an American people have our own cultural objects deemed so 
necessary to our identity that they are owned by the people jointly, 
such as the United States Constitution or the flag that inspired the 
Star Spangled Banner. If these objects were displayed as art in a 
private home or sold overseas, we would stand together to call for 
their return.
  Laws like the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act 
and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act exist to protect Native 
American cultural objects. However, through practice it has become 
clear that they are not sufficient to address the tribal loss of 
objects of cultural patrimony. As such, the PROTECT Patrimony 
resolution is a step in the right direction.
  The PROTECT Patrimony resolution aims to raise awareness of the 
importance of Native American cultural objects, as well as the 
proliferation of the removal and trafficking of these objects. It 
supports Congressional development of explicit restrictions on 
exportation, and it calls on federal agencies to consult with tribes to 
address the issue. Further still, this resolution calls on local 
stakeholders to cooperate with tribes and condemn illegal activity.
  The PROTECT Patrimony resolution is just the first step to a more 
comprehensive solution to protect Native American cultural objects from 
removal and trafficking and to facilitate their repatriation. I urge 
all my colleagues to stand in strong support of this resolution.

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