Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 789) to repeal certain obsolete laws relating to Indians.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: S. 789
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act'' or the ``RESPECT Act''. SEC. 2. REPEAL OF CERTAIN OBSOLETE LAWS RELATING TO INDIANS.
(1) Section 2080 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 72) is repealed.
(2) Section 2100 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 127) is repealed.
(3) Section 2 of the Act of March 3, 1875 (18 Stat. 449, chapter 132; 25 U.S.C. 128), is repealed.
(4) The first section of the Act of March 3, 1875 (18 Stat. 424, chapter 132; 25 U.S.C. 129), is amended under the heading ``CHEYENNES AND ARAPAHOES.'' by striking ``; that the Secretary of the Interior be authorized to withhold, from any tribe of Indians who may hold any captives other than Indians, any moneys due them from the United States until said captives shall be surrendered to the lawful authorities of the United States''.
(5) Section 2087 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 130) is repealed.
(6) Section 3 of the Act of March 3, 1875 (18 Stat. 449, chapter 132; 25 U.S.C. 137), is repealed.
(7) Section 2101 of the Revised Statutes (25 U.S.C. 138) is repealed.
(8) Section 7 of the Act of June 23, 1879 (21 Stat. 35, chapter 35; 25 U.S.C. 273), is repealed.
(9) The first section of the Act of March 3, 1893 (27 Stat. 612, chapter 209), is amended--
(A) under the heading ``MISCELLANEOUS SUPPORTS.'' (27 Stat. 628; 25 U.S.C. 283), by striking the last 2 undesignated paragraphs; and
(B) under the heading ``FOR SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.'' (27 Stat. 635; 25 U.S.C. 283), by striking the second undesignated paragraph.
(10) Section 18 of the Act of June 30, 1913 (38 Stat. 96, chapter 4; 25 U.S.C. 285), is amended by striking the tenth undesignated paragraph.
(11) The Act of June 21, 1906 (34 Stat. 325, chapter 3504), is amended under the heading ``commissioner.'' under the heading ``I. GENERAL PROVISIONS.'' (34 Stat. 328; 25 U.S.C. 302) by striking the fourth undesignated paragraph.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 789, the Repealing Existing Substandard Provisions Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act, introduced by Senator Rounds of South Dakota. Here in the House, the bill is led by my friend and colleague, Representative O'Halleran.
This bill would repeal 11 antiquated Federal laws that pertain to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
As this body is well aware, Federal Indian law has existed since the foundation of the United States, and it governs the relationship between the Federal Government, American Indians, and Alaska Natives.
The policies and principles of Federal Indian law have undergone many transformations throughout American history, as it was once the policy of the Federal Government to commit violence and forced displacement against Tribal communities.
Although the Federal Indian laws of today are better at upholding the principles of Tribal self-determination and sovereignty, many laws that reflect the prior Federal policy during the eras of genocide, removal, assimilation, or termination still remain as law.
S. 789 will address this concern by repealing 11 outdated statutes, many of which pertain to the colonial and Indian boarding school eras.
I thank Senator Rounds and Representative O'Halleran for introducing this legislation and ensuring that the Federal law reflects the respect that we hold for Indian Country.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. GRIJALVA. Leger Fernandez).
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, this bill does acknowledge the long and painful history of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians in this country. I support S. 789 because it moves us one step closer to recognizing and remembering that painful history but then addressing it by removing from our statutes that which is so ugly, harmful, and painful.
This bill repeals those outdated and offensive legislative provisions that robbed Native American populations of their dignity and their sovereignty for decades. In New Mexico, we are keenly aware of the damage inflicted upon Native youth and families by so-called reform schools, coercive policies around work, and countless other forms of mistreatment.
Legislation like S. 789 reminds us of that painful history. But we cannot only acknowledge historical wrongs. We must do the work to make things right. I am pleased to voice my support for this bill and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues from both parties to fulfill the Federal Government's full trust and treaty responsibilities.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
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Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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