Public Lands Service Corps Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. COLE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer what I believe is a noncontroversial amendment that would amend the Public Lands Service Corps Act to allow the Secretaries to enter into arrangements with tribal governments in order to provide temporary housing for Corps workers. This would be in addition to other Federal agencies, States, local governments, or private organizations. Because tribal governments are not included under the umbrella of any of the bill's other categories, it is necessary to modify the bill's language to include them.

Tribal governments enjoy a unique government-to-government sovereign relationship with the United States. Tribal governments regularly enter into similar agreements with a variety of Federal agencies and have done so for over 200 years, so this change would not disturb precedent.

Throughout this bill, tribal lands are designated as a place for young adults employed in this program to expend their efforts. It makes sense, then, that these tribes would be able to house some of the participants, thereby enhancing the experience of these workers. Not only would this program connect participants to the land, but housing in the tribal areas could enhance their cultural understanding and awareness.

Indian Country is as diverse as America itself, so obviously housing these individuals would not be ideal on some reservations. It is important, though, to include willing tribal governments in this program, as Native Americans are historically some of the best stewards of the environment and because the potential for cultural interchange in this program would certainly have great benefit for both the national lands conservation workers and the tribes.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Again, this is a simple modification that will allow Native American tribes to enter into agreements to house the employees of the Public Lands Service Corps just like Federal agencies, States, localities, and private organizations.

This designation will give the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior more housing options for these workers and will allow the tribes to be more fully engaged in the program.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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