Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 2791 is the culmination of years of work to address the wrongs of the past. The ``termination era'' in Federal Indian policy is one of the darkest chapters in American history. In Oregon, all but one of the tribes lost their Federal recognition.

Fortunately, the Federal Government eventually saw the error of their ways and restored the recognition of the tribes, but they were now left with nonexistent or inadequate land bases.

H.R. 2791, the Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act, will go a long way in helping reestablish long-promised land bases for the Oregon tribes, while also giving them the ability to effectively manage their land on their own terms.

Like my colleague, I want to thank our colleagues from Oregon, Mr. DeFazio and Mr. Walden, for listening to the needs of the Oregon tribal people and continuing to push for this bipartisan legislation.

All the sections included in this bill passed the House by voice vote last Congress, and I urge my colleagues to do the same now.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join us in supporting this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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