[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 165 (Thursday, November 17, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H6290-H6291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  I STAND WITH THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX

  (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to stand with the Standing Rock Sioux 
in peace and prayer to halt the desecration of their sacred sites and 
clean water source.
  This month, an independent review concluded that the U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers' original assessment of the pipeline underestimated the 
risk of a spill exposing tribal lands to grave risk.
  Just this week, the Corps announced they will delay an easement for 
construction of the pipeline on Corps land under and around Lake Oahe 
until they conduct further environmental reviews with the Standing Rock 
Sioux Tribe. Further study and a possible reroute of the pipeline is a 
welcomed idea.
  But construction continues, and there has been no final decision that 
could conclusively halt the pipeline and protect tribal sacred sites. 
This could be devastating.
  The government must take action to uphold our Federal trust 
responsibility to protect tribal treaties, land, and resources. They 
must meaningfully consult with the Standing Rock Sioux and all tribes 
before developing on or near

[[Page H6291]]

tribal land. They must rescind their permit that was issued without 
full understanding of potential risk and must stop construction.

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