[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4945]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 PROTECT LANDS SACRED TO INDIAN TRIBES

  (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, as cochair of the Native American Caucus, I 
work on many issues on behalf of our first Americans. An issue that is 
of particular importance to me relates to protecting lands sacred to 
our Indian tribes.
  Native Americans were the first protectors of this great land, and 
protect it they really did.
  Long before my forefathers arrived here, it was the native Americans 
who respected, honored and gave thanks for all that nature provided. 
They knew never to take more than what was needed, and never disrespect 
or damage their sacred areas.
  I am sad to see so many native American sacred sites under the threat 
of desecration and the active role our government often plays.
  We have attempted over the years to enact legislation to protect 
these sites, but each time it falls short. We need to pass legislation 
that will put the full legal weight of the United States behind the 
preservation of native American sacred sites.

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