[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 41 (Thursday, March 7, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E223-E224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               PASSAGE OF THE WINNEBAGO LAND TRANSFER ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHARICE DAVIDS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 2024

  Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1240, the Winnebago Land Transfer Act, introduced by my colleague, Mr. 
Feenstra from Iowa. This critical bill would transfer rightfully-owed 
land back to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The land in question was 
taken from the Tribe in an illegal acquisition, and due to complex 
legal stipulations within the most recent court proceedings

[[Page E224]]

pertaining to this matter, the land has still not been returned to the 
Tribe. Legal complications of these sorts when it comes to federal 
tribal trust responsibility are an all-too-common phenomenon for Indian 
Country and demonstrates the importance of a strong relationship 
between the federal government and tribes. This bill would reinstate 
the autonomy of the land back to the Winnebago Tribe and protect their 
sovereignty. The state of Iowa, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and 
two affected counties are supportive of this bill, and have 
demonstrated their support for this cause. I applaud my colleagues who 
have moved swiftly to pass this bill.

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