Rep. Hudson introduces Lumbee recognition bill

WASHINGTON — Legislation is once again before the U.S. House of Representatives seeking full federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

The Lumbee Recognition Act was introduced Wednesday in the House by U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from Concord, whose 8th Congressional District includes Richmond County, and U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a Democrat who represents the 1st Congressional District, a district encompassing much of the the northeastern part of the state.

The Lumbee Tribe, with more than 55,000 members, is the largest American Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River.

“Southeastern North Carolina has made tremendous strides in economic growth, and granting the Lumbees federal recognition has the potential to spur job creation and further revitalize the region to make life better for everyone in our community,” Hudson said in a statement. “I am grateful to my good friend and former colleague Mike McIntyre for his commitment to this cause, and I will continue to be an advocate and work just as hard until the Lumbee tribe receives the federal recognition it rightfully deserves.”

Hudson and McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton whose 7th Congressional District encompasses a small slice of Robeson County, joined together during the last session of Congress to introduce a similar bill. McIntyre, who did not seek re-election in November, worked for recognition for the Lumbee tribe since he joined Congress in 1997.

During the past session, a similar bill was also introduced in the U.S. Senate by North Carolina Sens. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, and Richard Burr, a Republican. The Senate has never passed a recognition bill, while McIntyre successfully shepherded it through two consecutive congressional sessions.

The Lumbees have sought federal recognition since 1888. Congress recognized the tribe in 1956, but denied its members financial benefits afforded to other federally recognized tribes.

In 1989, the Lumbees petitioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs for full federal recognition. But the solicitor general said that because of language in the Lumbee Act of 1956, the tribe could only be recognized through Congress.

Lumbee recognition could mean hundreds of millions of dollars a year that would flow into the region to enhance economic development, health care and educational opportunities for the tribe.