Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is a relatively small Tribe located in the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. The Tribe was opposed to the construction of the Tellico Dam and, after its completion in 1979, worked with the Tennessee Valley Authority regarding impacted areas that were of historic significance to the Tribe. The Tribe currently manages most of these properties under permanent easements granted in the mid-1980s as a result of an informal agreement with TVA.

This bill would permanently transfer these properties, totaling approximately 96 acres along the Little Tennessee River and the Tellico Reservoir, in trust status for the Tribe.

Gaming, pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, would be prohibited. Most of the parcels to be placed in trust under the bill will be used for memorializing and interpreting the history of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The remaining parcels will be used for recreational trails.

I commend the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann) for his continued hard work on this legislation, which passed the House last Congress by an overwhelming vote of 383-2. I hope the Senate will take the opportunity to pass this worthy legislation this Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have one speaker.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I again commend the gentleman from Tennessee for his work on this bill. The Trail of Tears passes through my district in Arkansas. Again, this is a long-overdue bill.

I urge passage of it in the House, and I urge our friends in the Senate to take up the bill and pass it, as well.

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