When 240 of us voted for Federal recognition during the 102^nd Congress, that should have resolved the question of Lumbee status. When we voted again in favor of similar legislation in the 103^rd Congress, that certainly should have meant that the United States had finally taken a stand and done the right thing by acknowledging a trust relationship with the Lumbee Tribe. But it was not to be.

Every time this Indian tribe gets close to its goal of recognition by the Federal government, there is always one powerful person, or a small, self-interested group ready to knock them down.

The Lumbee Tribe has been trapped inside a cruel carnival that never ends. They have been on a roller coaster of exciting highs always followed by devastating lows. And just like a roller coaster ride - the treatment of the Lumbee Tribe is starting to make me sick.

Before this is over we will, no doubt, have those who say the Lumbee should go through the Federal administrative acknowledgment process. You know what that is – that is the never ending regulatory maze filled with distorted mirrors, rubber rooms, and trick doors that we took testimony on just yesterday.

This, unfortunately is nothing new to the Lumbee people. They have endured this rejection for over one hundred years. Each time it happens, they pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and start putting one foot in front of the other, working slowly and methodically climbing back up Capitol Hill to educate the next batch of young legislative aides and their Congressmen on the century of injustice they have faced.

The determination and sheer stamina of the Lumbee is a testament to their strong belief in who they are as a people. They have endured rejection by Congress, hostility by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and have even been snubbed by neighboring Indian tribes in their quest.

All the Lumbee want is the respect of being acknowledged for who they are - an American Indian tribe.

It would probably be a lot easier on the Lumbee if they were to disband, move to a more prosperous part of the country, and assimilate into the non-Indian population. But this will not happen, Mr. Chairman, because the Lumbee will not abandon their ancestral lands nor will they deny their heritage.

Instead, they keep coming back to this Committee, making their eloquent case, and with shoulders squared and dignity intact, they ask once again that the United States acknowledge their existence. We cannot fail the Lumbee Tribe again.

I want to commend our colleague, Mr. McIntyre for picking up the mantle for the Lumbee people. Mr. McIntyre’s bill has 235 cosponsors including 29 Members of the Resources Committee.

Mr. Chairman, the irony of inviting the Lumbee Tribe to come before us and trust us on April Fools Day was not lost on them. I ask all our colleagues to read the record and learn the history of the Lumbee Tribe. If we do not take this opportunity to end the suffering of the Lumbee people, then we will indeed be the fools.