Commemorating the 45th Anniversary of President Richard M. Nixon's Special Message to Congress on Indian Affairs

Floor Speech

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Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 45th anniversary of President Richard M. Nixon's Special Message to Congress on Indian Affairs.

For nearly two hundred years, Federal Indian policy has veered from one failed policy to another. Past policies have included treaty-making, outright war and hostilities, land allotment, assimilation, and termination. On July 8, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon issued his Special Message to Congress on Indian Affairs. In the message, he acknowledged that the state of Federal Indian policy was wholly inadequate. President Nixon noted that the Indians were the most deprived group of Americans, ranking at the bottom of nearly every economic and social measurement.
He related that, despite inconsistent and often hostile Federal treatment, the story of the American Indian was one of great struggle, but ultimately overcoming overwhelming challenges.

He highlighted the long history of cultural contributions to American society which have become part of the American experience and spirit. He also noted the ``record of enormous contributions Indians have made to this country, its art and culture, its strength and spirit, its sense of history, and its sense of purpose.''

The President's Special Message was of particular importance because it called on Congress to repudiate and repeal the termination policy expressed in House Concurrent Resolution 108, and instead he promoted a policy that would allow Indian tribes to become part of the American fabric and participate in their communities across this great nation, at every level.

The President's message represented a fundamental change to how the United States engages Indian tribal governments and their people, proclaiming ``the time has come to break decisively with the past and to create the conditions for a new era in which the Indian future is determined by Indian acts and Indian decisions.'' Since then, the United States Indian policy has become one of Indian Self-Determination, without Termination.

Congress responded to the Nixon Administration's initiative in 1975, by passing the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, paving the way for the enactment in 1988 of the Tribal Self-Governance Program. As a result of these enactments, Indian tribes currently manage and administer one-half of all programs and services offered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service.

In an effort to further develop a relationship of trust and confidence between the Federal government and Indian people, the President endorsed legislation to restore the Blue Lake lands to the Taos Pueblo Indians. Previously, the United States had appropriated the land for the purposes of creating a national forest. The Pueblo held the land sacred and necessary to express their religious faith. The message also proposed reforms to Indian education, encouraged investment, economic development and job creation in tribal communities, called for liberalizing land leases, and increasing support for Indian health.

Since then, Congress and the Executive Branch have collaborated to enact and implement statutes to improve Indian education, health, housing, sacred site protection, energy and economic development, and international trade and tourism. Every President since Nixon has embraced and implemented the policy of Indian Self-Determination. This policy is supported by the twin pillars of strong tribal governments and vigorous tribal economies, and continues to be the most successful Indian doctrine to date.

Mr. Speaker, I come before you now to commemorate President Richard M. Nixon's Special Message to Congress on Indian Affairs, affirm its support for the enduring truths contained therein, and call for the policy of Indian Self-Determination to be expanded and strengthened by this and future Congresses and Presidents.

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