[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 52 (Monday, January 1, 2001)]
[Page 3185]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act

December 27, 2000

    Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 5528, the ``Omnibus Indian 
Advancement Act.'' This Act is the product of lengthy negotiations among 
the Congress, my Administration, tribal governments and other interested 
parties. I commend all of the participants in these negotiations for 
their work in producing a bill that will benefit many Indian 
communities.
    This Act emphasizes my Administration's commitment to self-
determination and self-governance of American Indian, Alaska Native, and 
Native Hawaiian people. In particular, the Act establishes an American 
Indian Education Foundation to encourage and accept private gifts to 
help further the education of Indian children attending Bureau of Indian 
Affairs schools in grades K-12; offers increased economic development 
opportunities for Indian tribes; authorizes new activities to help 
support and improve tribal governance, including the new Native Nations 
Institute at the Morris K. Udall Foundation; provides for the settlement 
of an historic land case in California; restores and reestablishes the 
Federal and trust relationship to two separate tribal groups; improves 
housing assistance to and affordable housing for Native Americans and 
Native Hawaiians; and includes other benefits and authorities for 
various American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.
    Section 1104 of this bill raises a constitutional concern insofar as 
it could be read to interfere with my constitutional authority to 
determine when and whether to recommend legislation to the Congress. I 
will therefore treat it as precatory.
    This Act demonstrates our commitment to providing more support to 
the aboriginal peoples of this Nation. I am pleased to sign it into law.
                                            William J. Clinton
 The White House,
 December 27, 2000.

  Note:  H.R. 5528, approved December 27, was assigned Public Law No. 
106-568.