[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 208 (Thursday, December 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SAFEGUARD TRIBAL OBJECTS OF PATRIMONY ACT OF 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                              HON. ED CASE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2021

  Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 2930, the 
Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, which I cosponsored, 
especially as it ensures we fully include Native Hawaiians in all 
aspects of cultural heritage repatriation.
  The STOP Act reauthorizes and makes important improvements to the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to 
protect the cultural patrimony of our Indigenous communities, including 
Native Hawaiians, the indigenous peoples of our country who originate 
in Hawaii. This bipartisan effort, spearheaded by Chair Teresa Leger 
Fernandez and Ranking Member Don Young of our House Natural Resources 
Subcommittee on Indigenous Peoples, on which I also serve, will assist 
our efforts to ensure the survival of Native artifacts for generations 
to come.
  I also wish to memorialize for the record our committee discussions 
assuring that Native Hawaiians are directly involved in all cultural 
heritage repatriation processes mandated by Congress under NAGPRA, 
including full and direct presence on the NAGPRA Review Committee.
  Religious practices of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native 
Hawaiians are an integral part of their culture, tradition and 
heritage. They also serve as a basis of Native identity and value 
systems. Congress has established a long-standing policy under the 
American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) of 1978 (Pub. L. No. 95-
341) and other legislation (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1996) to protect and 
preserve the inherent right of freedom to believe, express and exercise 
the traditional religions of American Indians, Alaska Natives and 
Native Hawaiians.
  Under NAGPRA, a review committee that consists of seven members is 
appointed by the Secretary of the Interior and tasked with several 
responsibilities, including consultation with Indian Tribes and Native 
Hawaiian organizations, working with the Secretary to develop 
regulations to carry out NAGPRA and making recommendations regarding 
future care of repatriated cultural items. At least two of these 
members must be traditional Indian religious leaders. The use of 
``traditional Indian religious leader'' in NAGPRA (25 U.S.C. 3006) is 
consistent with the policy described in AIRFA (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1996) and 
includes and should continue to include all traditional Native American 
religious leaders, including Native Hawaiians, as defined by the term 
``Native American'' found at 25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001.
  Ensuring the eligibility of any American Indian, Alaska Native or 
Native Hawaiian traditional religious leader to be nominated to serve 
on the NAGPRA Review Committee is critical to full implementation of 
the letter and spirit of NAGPRA and the preservation and safe return of 
our precious indigenous cultural heritage.
  Mahalo.

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