Webb: Recognizing Indian tribes "a simple matter of fairness"

By: Lowell
Published On: 10/17/2007 6:41:08 AM

Great move by Senator Webb, that "one-issue senator" Tom Davis called him.  Yeah, the same Tom Davis who thinks Virginia outside of NOVA is "Alabama."  The same Tom Davis who just got his butt kicked by the Republican Party of Virginia and Jim Gilmore.  The same Tom Davis whose wife is going to lose to Chap Petersen on November 6.  Anyway, here's Webb's press release on the Indian tribes.  I wonder what Frank Wolf has to say about this. Heh.

Senator Webb Backs Bill to Grant Federal Recognition to Virginia Indian Tribes

WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today endorsed a House-passed bill to grant federal recognition to six Indian tribes in Virginia, a status that would qualify the tribes for certain benefits provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and other federal agencies.

In a letter dated October 16th to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Webb urged the Committee to approve the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2007 (H.R. 1294), which the House of Representatives approved overwhelmingly in May.

"I have spent several months examining this issue in great detail, including information about the rich history and culture of Virginia's extraordinary Indian tribes," Senator Webb said.  "Through this review, I have concluded this legislation is a simple matter of fairness.  Four hundred years after the founding of America's first colony at Jamestown, these six tribes deserve to join our nation's 562 other federally recognized tribes."


The bill, sponsored in the House by Representative Jim Moran, would extend federal recognition to the Chickahominy Tribe; the Chickahominy Indian Tribe - Eastern Division; the Upper Mattaponi Tribe; the Rappahannock Tribe, Inc.; the Monacan Indian Nation; and the Nansemond Indian Tribe.

Proponents of the bill have argued that recognizing Virginia's Indians through an Act of Congress as opposed to normal administrative channels is necessary because many of the tribes' land and genealogical records have been destroyed, in some cases through actions of the state.  Webb also raised serious concerns about the BIA's inadequate resources and cumbersome administrative process resulting in a backlog of petitions.

"Because of a consistent lack of resources, the BIA process traditionally has resulted in delays of fifteen years or more. As is the case with our Virginia tribes, some of which began the recognition process in the late 1970's and still have a long wait in the queue," said Webb.  "All parties agree that the process has proven to be an arduous one for both the tribes and the BIA."

Senator Webb said he is eager to work with interested citizens during the Senate's review of the bill to determine if improvements can be made to the House legislation.  But at the same time, he emphasized the support which federal recognition of the tribes already enjoys in Virginia.

"Federal recognition of Virginia's Indians enjoys strong, bipartisan support in Virginia," he said.  "Governor Kaine and his predecessor Governor Mark Warner have supported recognition, and in 1999 both Houses of the Virginia General Assembly adopted resolutions embracing federal recognition.  The measure also has support from various religious and civic organizations."

"The Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life (VITAL) has worked diligently with Senator Webb and his staff in an effort to grant Federal recognition to six of Virginia's Indian tribes. During that same time, we have been sharing our history at various Jamestown 2007 commemorative events and have received overwhelming support from our fellow citizens.  I am delighted that Senator Webb has endorsed a bill in the Senate to grant such recognition," said Wayne Adkins (Chickahominy), VITAL President.

Webb concluded by saying, "I believe this bill's enactment will go far toward recognizing Virginia's Indian tribes in this-the 400th year anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth."

To read a full text of Senator Jim Webb's letter dated October 16th to Senators Byron Dorgan and Lisa Murkowski, the Chairman and Vice Chairman on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, respectively, visit: http://webb.senate.g...


Comments



good (martha - 10/17/2007 7:52:49 AM)
A long overdue recognition. The Monacan tribe, located here in Central VA ( Amherst County), richly deserves this!

I hope the bill  passes.



applauding Webb and Allen (JScott - 10/17/2007 10:01:12 AM)
While I applaud Jim Webb for introducing this legislation for the second time in the Seante after Senator Allen's sttempt back in 2004 to bring recognition to the Virginia tribes, I know that Webb has been attacked as being a one trick pony but we must admit that this is not and has not been solely Webb issue. It has been an issue for quite some time. The question is whether the Senator can deliver the neccessary votes for its passage in the Seante where others have failed previously.