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LUMBEE COUNTRY NEWS
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Lumbee bill moves forward |
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is another step closer to achieving federal recognition and services for tribal members. The House Committee on Natural Resources voted 24-7 to move the Lumbee Recognition Bill to the full House. It is currently not known when the bill be brought to the House floor for a vote. However, leaders want tribal members to stay positive and in prayer. “I want first thank Congressman McIntyre, Chairman Rahall, Congressman Young, and Congressman Hayes and to caution tribal members that we still have a way to go, so we need to stay in prayer,” said Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins. The bill passed with an amendment that prohibits gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The amendment was offered by U.S. Rep. John Duncan, a Republican from Tennessee. Duncan was among several legislators who voiced concerns about gaming during the hearing last week. The Lumbee tribal government agreed to the amendment, emphasizing as tribal leaders have said all along – this is about recognition, not about gaming. Senator Dole, who along with Senator Burr introduced a companion bill in the Senate, S.333, to recognize the Lumbee Tribe, praised the vote in the House Resources Committee. She expressed her continuing commitment to action on the bill in the Senate this Congress. Chairman Goins and Tribal Council Speaker Goolsby remind tribal members that the Tribe still has a long way to go toward enactment of the bill into law. “Without this vote, though, we could not go forward,” said Speaker Goolsby. Contact: Alex Baker |
