OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 26, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment.

The United States has an obligation to protect and preserve Native American sacred sites located on Federal lands. It is a responsibility we have established through Federal laws, including the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Mr. Luján's amendment would make sure that we follow these laws. That's what his amendment does; it protects these laws. That's why over 80 tribal organizations support our amendment. My colleagues who oppose this amendment, they claim that all sacred spaces have been protected in this bill. Those claims are simply false.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe is currently working with the Tonto National Forest to conduct a survey of their sacred sites. They have found artifacts and cultural materials and may still discover burial sites in areas that are proposed for exchange in this bill.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment so that the survey process and tribal consultation can continue.

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