[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 112 (Thursday, July 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE HABEMATOLEL POMO TRIBE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe on the 10th anniversary of the 
opening of their Running Creek Casino in Lake County, California.
  The people of the Habematolel Pomo Tribe have ancient origins in Lake 
County. Following the arrival of Europeans, the Pomo were the targets 
of repeated efforts of genocide, either through systemic violence or 
forced assimilation. Fortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful, and 
after a 1983 federal court case granted the Habematolel Pomo federal 
recognition and a portion of land in Upper Lake, the Tribe began a 
campaign of economic sustainability that continues today.
  The federal recognition of the Habematolel Pomo brought great 
opportunity to Lake County. Setting out to build a casino, the tribe 
worked with Lake County and regional officials, along with the 
community at-large, to create a series of Memorandums of Understanding 
that would guarantee the tribe's contributions to the County for years 
to come. This exciting opportunity came at a time when Lake County had 
the highest unemployment rate in all of California.
  Since the opening of Running Creek Casino in May of 2012, the people 
of Habematolel Pomo Tribe have accelerated steady economic growth in 
Lake County. The Casino created 140 new jobs, provided the County over 
$378,000 to improve the Lake County Sanitation District's wastewater 
system, contributed a one-time donation of $636,000 to the Northshore 
Fire Protection District for fire and safety mitigation, and granted 
$130,000 for field lighting at a local high school.
  Beyond its monetary contributions to local government, the people of 
the Habematolel Pomo Tribe serve dutifully on local institutions, such 
as the Northshore Business Association, the Lake County Chamber of 
Commerce, and the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident that the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake 
and its people have tirelessly served the people and land of Lake 
County. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor the tribe and 
its members here today.

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