Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Witnesses the Signing of Historic Black Farmers Settlement Bill

Press Release

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Invited to the White House by President Obama as He Signs "The Claims Resolution Act of 2010" Into Law

Washington, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, senior member of the House Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs Committees, stands alongside President Obama as he signs the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 into law. This bill, which approves the settlements in class-action suits brought by black and Native American farmers against the federal government, authorizes payment of $4.6 billion to those victims of discrimination.

"This has been a long and tedious journey. As a Member of the House Judiciary Committee for over a decade, I have worked with a broad base of Members including the Congressional Black Caucus to support black farmers who were denied justice. They have had to wait too long and the harrowing stories they relayed year after year have been painful. Many lost their land and their livelihood. Many came from Texas and many cried to restore the dignity of their toiling ancestors. As Ms. Shirley Sherrod tried to do in her position as a regional administrator for the USDA, it is time for all farmers--black farmers, Native American farmers, impoverished farmers, to receive the benefits of their labor. The Claims Resolution Act of 2010 represents an overdue conclusion to the battle for equality and justice. This represents a historical first step toward righting the wrongs that were borne by a generation of minority farmers. It is not a 100% relief, but it is a relief that warrants our celebration."

In the Pigford II and Cobell v. Salazar cases, Black farmers and Native Americans were discriminated against based solely on their race. Black farmers received unfair and unequal treatment when applying for farm loans or assistance through the Department of Agriculture, and their discrimination complaints were largely ignored. Native American trusts were grossly mishandled by the Department of Interior, denying them access to assets to which they rightfully had an interest. Under the Claims Resolution Act of 2010, black farmers and Native Americans will receive a settlement of $1.2 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively.

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