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Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 12, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Minors and Children Indigenous Peoples

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The studies indicate that Native youth experience significantly more challenges in virtually every aspect of their development from birth to adolescence than any other population. Native infants experience higher infant mortality rates than those of other racial or ethnic groups. Native children are overrepresented in foster care, at more than 2.1 times the general population, and 37 percent of Native children live in poverty.

Finally, it is most troubling that Native youth face a higher risk and rate of premature death than other youth. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death, 2.5 times the national rate, for Native youth in the 15 to 24 age group.

We need to take a comprehensive look at the health and well-being of Native children and to find the root causes of and real solutions to the problems and issues that are leading to these disturbing trends. This is why I wholeheartedly support S. 246 and the establishment of the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children.

The commission will be comprised of experts in the areas of juvenile justice, social work, education, and mental and physical health, working alongside a Native advisory committee composed of Native tribal representatives. They will conduct a comprehensive study of current Federal and local programs, grants, and support available for Native communities and children, and will report our recommendations for legislative and administrative actions and modifications and improvements to better serve our Native children.

I want to thank Senator Heitkamp for introducing this important legislation and for tirelessly advocating for the creation of this commission. I also want to thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum) for championing the House version of the bill, H.R. 2751.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children will be successful in its endeavor, and I encourage my colleagues to swiftly adopt this legislation. Native children cannot wait any longer.

I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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