Dingell Pushes for State Land Swap Agreement to Move Forward

Press Release

Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) today testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources in support of the proposed land swap agreement that could create a casino in Romulus. The following comments come from the Congressman's prepared remarks:

"Michigan's unemployment rate of 7.5 percent leads the nation. Michigan's median household income has decreased by 11.9 percent since 2000 and the State has lost over 350,000 jobs.

"The opportunity presented in H.R. 4115 will bring 2,700 well-paying, on-site, union jobs to Michigan's 15th Congressional District. In addition to that number, we are looking at 1,400 construction jobs - also union - needed to build the facility. Mr. Chairman, this is an opportunity for Michigan we simply cannot afford to turn down.

"The legislation I introduced would extinguish the land claims in the area of the Sault Tribe. In exchange, the legislation will grant the Sault tribe alternative lands in Otsego County, Michigan and Romulus, Michigan as outlined in the settlement agreement. These alternative lands would become part of the reservation of the Sault Tribe community.

"In addition, my legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to take these lands into trust as land obtained in a settlement of a land claim under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

"Now, throughout this hearing you are going to hear from opponents to these bills. Some may say enough is enough; the State simply does not need another casino. Others will express strong opposition based on the fact that the proposed facility is supposedly too far away from the original reservation. While still others may say that the Southeast Michigan gaming market is already saturated. To those opposed to these pieces of legislation, I simply say, let's not create a battle between those communities that have casinos versus those communities that do not. Rather, let us work together to help extinguish legitimate land disputes that have been around for generations while at the same time allowing investment in our communities and our State. Let us build a brighter Michigan that creates thousands of well paying, union jobs that will help our state recover from the recent job losses we have experienced."

On the recent lobbying tactics employed by opponents of his legislation:

"I would like to take just a moment to express my disappointment and dismay at the lobbying tactics used by some of the opponents of my bill. As many of you may have read, the Port Huron Times Herald broke a story yesterday linking Gambling Watch, a recently established "anti-gambling group" asking citizens to speak out against the opening of any new casinos in Michigan, to the MGM Grand Casino in Detroit. The good and honest people who are legitimately opposed to gambling would be shocked and appalled to learn they are being used by people employing shady lobbying tactics reminiscent of Jack Abramoff. I look forward to hearing from some of the opponents here today about whether or not they were involved in these dubious tactics."

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