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Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Clarification Act

Floor Speech

Date: July 1, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Indigenous Peoples

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the Native American Caucus, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4445, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Clarification Act.

First, I would like to acknowledge Speaker PELOSI and Majority Leader HOYER for their leadership in bringing this important bill to the floor. My colleague Congresswoman HEINRICH, the author of this legislation, has worked hard to ensure that the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is considered a part of tribal lands.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a vital part of Pueblo history in New Mexico. Its mission is to preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture and to advance understanding by presenting the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico. While the Pueblo people are located primarily in New Mexico, at one time the Pueblo's homeland reached into the states of Colorado and Arizona. Pueblo people rooted in this region of the southwest are descendants of an indigenous Native American culture that has established itself over many centuries.

H.R. 4445, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Clarification Act, would strike a provision in current law which prohibits the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in New Mexico from being considered ``Indian Country.'' When this provision is removed, it will give the Cultural Center the same tax-exempt status as other tribal trust lands and would prohibit the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department from levying taxes on Pueblo members who engage in business at the center. In addition, the legislation will prohibit any gaming from being conducted on the transferred property.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4445 because it makes an important correction to current law so that the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center can now be considered tax-exempt. This vital piece of New Mexican and Pueblo Indian Culture deserves our full support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4445. I yield the remainder of my time.


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