9/26/2005

From: alra@governance.net
Subject: Congress Looks To Solve NY Tribal Land Claims Disputes


Land Rights Network
American Land Rights Association
PO Box 400 – Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: 360-687-3087 – Fax: 360-687-2973 
E-mail: alra@landrights.org or alra@governance.net 
Web Address: http://www.landrights.org 
Legislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE – Washington, DC 20003


Congress Looks To Solve NY Tribal Land Claims Disputes


Resources Chairman Richard Pombo Says He Is Going To Take Action.

See Resources Committee Press Release below.

You don’t have to live in Rep. Sherwood Boehlert’s 24th NY district to know he hasn’t done much to resolve the long standing Indian Claims that affect millions of people in New York.

Please read the press release below.  If you believe as we do that Mr. Boehlert needs to get off the fence and actually take some action, call his office every day the next three days.

Action Items:

-----1.  Call Rep. Sherwood Boehlert at (202) 225-3665.  If his line is busy, call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121.   Website:  www.house.gov/boehlert

-----2.  You can fax him too at (202) 225-1891.  

-----3.  Call at least five friends to urge them to call.

-----4.  Network with Upstate Citizens for Equality, One Nation United, Citizens Equal Rights Alliance and others groups who care about Indian Claims and the massive threat to private property in New York.

Time is critical.  You have just a few days to call and be effective. 


House Resources Committee Press Release

---------------------------
For Immediate Release
September 23, 2005
Contact: Brian Kennedy or Matt Streit at (202) 226-9019

Pombo Commits to Bringing Resolution to New York Land Claims Issue

Washington, DC - Rep. Richard W. Pombo (R-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Resources which maintains jurisdiction over Native American issues, announced plans today to intervene in New York tribal Land claims to bring a resolution to local communities and Indian tribes.

"These land claims have gone on too long, clouding property owners' title and leaving Indian tribes without just resolution," said Pombo. "Some New York officials have failed to address these important issues, and in order to be fair, the committee will intervene and bring a solution to both landowners and Indian tribes."

Dating back to the 1790s, the New York Indian land claims are the Largest and longest-running land claims in the nation. Over the past three decades both sides have litigated these claims in federal courts and spent millions of dollars with no end in sight.

The Resources Committee held a hearing on the status of the New York Land claims on July 14, 2005 where all parties testified. During the hearing Chairman Pombo warned the Committee was ready to move forward with legislation settling the claims, with or without the help of New York politicians in Albany and DC.

In September, ongoing agreements between Gov. George Pataki and some of the tribes to settle the claims expired. No talks are under way to revive them.

In the months following the hearing, officials in New York took no action.  Under Pombo's leadership, the House Committee on Resources will bring resolution to these claims and disputes. The Committee will begin work on its own legislation to settle the issue and looks forward to hearing from the leaders of the New York delegation.

###

Jennifer Zuccarelli
Press Secretary
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Resources
1333 Longworth House Office Building
Office:  202.226.9019
Cell:     202.812.1728
Fax:      202.226.4631




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