Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3764) to extend the Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 3764, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act. As the only Member from Montana in the House of Representatives, I am proud to sponsor a bill which would extend Federal recognition to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.

With Federal recognition, the Little Shell Tribe and its members would become eligible for all services and benefits provided by the Federal Government to federally recognized Tribes.

The Tribe, as a condition of receiving Federal recognition, services, and benefits, must submit to the Secretary of the Interior a membership roll consisting of the name of each individual member of the Tribe and must maintain such membership roll.

The act directs the Secretary of the Interior to acquire, for the benefit of the Tribe, trust title to 200 acres of land within the Tribe's service area to be used for a Tribal land base.

I appreciate the work of Chairman Gray and the Little Shell people for continuing this fight for recognition. I urge adoption of the measure.

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