Hudson, McIntyre Introduce Bill to Recognize Lumbee Tribe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2013

Hudson, McIntyre Introduce Bill to Recognize Lumbee Tribe

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Richard Hudson (NC-08) and Mike McIntyre (NC-07) introduced legislation seeking to gain full federal recognition for the Lumbee tribe, the largest Indian tribe east of the Mississippi.

The Lumbee Recognition Act provides full recognition and services for a tribe that has long been recognized as distinctively Native American, but has consistently and unfairly been denied the benefits that come with federal recognition.

“Congressman McIntyre and I have introduced this bill to end the discriminatory policy against the Lumbee tribe and bring forward equal treatment so the Lumbees can receive the same benefits that every other federal tribe currently enjoys,” said U.S. Representative Richard Hudson. “Granting the Lumbees federal recognition is critically necessary to creating jobs and revitalizing a region plagued by chronically high unemployment and a slow economic recovery.”

U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre stated, “The path to achieve federal recognition for the Lumbee people has been a struggle for 124 years but the cause and effort must continue! I am pleased to join with Congressman Hudson in introducing this bi-partisan bill to rightfully bring the Lumbee tribe the dignity and respect they deserve from the federal government. It is time for discrimination to end and recognition to begin!”

Similar legislation to the Lumbee Recognition Act was introduced in the 108th Congress and all subsequent Congresses. In the 110th and 111th Congresses the bill was passed by the House, and companion Senate legislation was introduced. The Lumbee Recognition Act does not require additional budgeting of new funding since it utilizes the existing resources of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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