WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Lumbee Recognition Bill is back in the U.S. Senate.
North Carolina’s two senators, Richard Burr, a Republican, and Kay Hagan, a Democrat, today jointly introduced the bill that if approved would provide the tribe hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for housing, health care, education and economic development.
“I am elated that the senators have introduced this legislation,” Lumbee Tribal Chairman Paul Brooks said. “They understand the significance and importance of the Lumbee Bill to the tribal membership.
“This matter is not only important to the Lumbee, but it is also important to all residents of Robeson and adjoining counties as well as the state of North Carolina,” Brooks said. “Full federal recognition will impact these areas economically in a positive way.”
Burr and Hagan said in a joint statement that they are glad to introduce the bill.
“I am proud to reintroduce this legislation, continuing my efforts to ensure that the Lumbee Tribe receives long-overdue federal recognition,” Burr said. “I hope that the Senate will fulfill its commitment to achieve fairness and justice for the Lumbees.”
The bill is similar to the one that has been filed in the past three congressional sessions. During the past session, the bill made its way through the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to the Senate floor, but was never voted on by the full Senate. It had passed the full House and was supported by the Obama Administration during the 112th Congress.
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, with about 55,000 members, is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River. The tribe has sought federal recognition since 1888. Three years before, in 1885, North Carolina officially recognized the tribe.
Although Congress officially recognized the tribe in 1956, it denied tribal members the financial benefits afforded to other tribes.
“Full federal recognition is critical to the heritage and cultural identity of more than 55,000 North Carolinians and the economic vitality of the entire Lumbee community,” Hagan said. “I am committed to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation to give the Lumbee Tribe the full recognition they deserve.”
In 1989, the tribe petitioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs for full recognition. The solicitor general, however, said that because of language in the Act of 1956 the tribe could only be recognized through an act of Congress.
Hannah Smith, a spokesperson for Hagan, said today that both of the senators are “optimistic” that the bill can pass the Senate during this congressional session.
“They are working both sides of the aisle to get support for the bill,” she said.
A similar bill was filed in the House in April. The House bill was sponsored by Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from Concord, whose 8th District contains most of Robeson County, and Mike McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton, whose 7th District includes a sliver of Robeson County. McIntyre has sponsored and shepherded the bill through the House the past two congressional sessions. Each session, however, the bill stalled in the Senate.
“We will continue this fight until justice prevails,” Brooks said.
!["Focused" CD Cover](http://matchbin-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/public/sites/483/assets/8N5E_Cover150X150.jpg ""Focused" CD Cover")
To my fellow Lums: If you have a problem with the tribal government, get involved! Not ALL Lums are greedy, and not all Tribal Council members are corrupt. You must trust your decisions & have faith that the people YOU elect are the right individuals to get the job done in an ethical fashion. If not, then run for it yourself & make a change!!
Last but not least, to the "individuals" who wish to REMAIN ignorant to the Lumbee culture & history: Just remember that your public ignorance is more damaging than greed, lies, and any other problem combined. I suppose you still believe that Christopher Columbus discovered America and the moon is really made of cheese...
How silly of you to promote discrimination in this day and age.
Of the United States. How can you tell me it's all the fault of the tribe, when the government doesn't even know how to balance the budget right now. The waste programs we presently have are adequate to support the Lumbee! You have good ole boys everywhere. Frankly, I'm tired of that excuse and all of the others given to justify wrecking havoc on our rights! We are every bit worthy of every benefit that is given to other tribes. Bottom line, our rights are being violated and our country needs to get back to the constitution and the way it was designed, to UPHOLD the laws not destroy them!
The tribal council rules no one and never has they are more of a Club wasting H.U.D money as a non-profit,
state tribes are a rip off anyway and states actually have no constitutional authority to create or un-create a tribe,only the federal government can enter into a government relationship with another government but the Lumbee council is not really a Government just a good ole boys club playing Indian.
Come on, brothers, get behind us! This should have been done many moons ago!
From an outsider's perspective, the tribal government is already rife with corruption, in-fighting, and nepotism. It seems there is at least one letter to the editor (that gets published) every month highlighting the mismanagement of current HUD funds received by the tribe. There are articles highlighting the leaders constantly fighting and bickering over things such as what 2/3rds means. The comments section is filled with remarks highlighting that it's all about who you know when it comes to receiving tribe-related services.
Like I said, the legal recognition would be nice, but the money will become a curse rather than a blessing.
This Stossel video has a preview of what handing a big pile of taxpayer money to a corrupt organization does.
http://youtu.be/eE-Rqvk6rmM?t=5m36s