State of Indian Nations Address 2005 | Composition of the House Resources Committee

Topics include:
* State of Indian Nations Address 2005
* Composition of the House Resources Committee


NATIVE AMERICANS MAKE CASE FOR INCLUSION AND FAIRNESS

On February 3, Tex Hall, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) gave the third annual "State of Indian Nations" address, offering "a vision of hundreds of Indian tribes protecting the future of our children, of our families and of our elders." At a media conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, Hall gave an overview of what is going well in Indian Country and laid out what he sees as current challenges for policy makers.

Hall's address was in part a response to President Bush's State of the Union address delivered the previous night. His remarks also anticipated the release of the federal budget for fiscal year 2006. Hall offered an "alternative" budget developed collectively by NCAI and several other national Native American organizations which often compete for money for health, housing, education, law enforcement, and economic development. He emphasized the importance of leveraging Indian Country resources to promote healthy economies and social progress. Hall illustrated how tribal governments function to take care of their citizens just as local and state governments do and explained the various extra hurdles they face to carry out their vital tasks.

* To read the 2005 State of Indian Nations address on line, go to http://www.ncai.org/data/docs/media/2005/2005_soin_final.pdf

* To see a comparison compiled by FCNL of what President Bush and President Hall said about the same topics such as values go to http://www.fcnl.org/issues/nat/stateofnation05.htm

* For an analysis of the two events (and to get more of the flavor than could be given above), go to http://www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=1210&issue_id=93

In developing an alternative budget for federal spending in Indian Country in fiscal year 2006, NCAI worked with a coalition of organizations. Among the 18 cooperating partners were the National Indian Health Board, National Indian Education Association, National American Indian Housing Council, National Indian Council on Aging, National Tribal Environmental Council, and the National Indian Head Start Directors Association. To assure fairness to the neediest, these organizations seek champions such as Friends Committee on National Legislation to lobby Congress.

To obtain a copy of the NCAI alternative budget, "FY 2006 Tribal Budget Request: Indian Country and the Federal Budget," go to http://www.ncai.org/data/docs/legislative/2005/05_01_Presidents_Budget_Release1.pdf


What is the National Congress of American Indians? NCAI is the oldest, largest, and most representative association of tribes. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NCAI works on behalf of 250 tribes across the country. NCAI's executive committee is composed of four officers and twelve regional representatives from different tribes.

Who is Tex G. Hall? Hall, chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation, is well known in his home state as a cattle rancher and former teacher on the Fort Berthold Reservation. He was recognized in 1995 as the North Dakota Indian Educator of the Year. He has also been inducted into the North Dakota Basketball Hall of Fame. His own congressional representative, Earl Pomeroy (ND), sat on the front row as Hall gave the State of Indian Nations address and supported him vocally, especially the call for law enforcement funds to protect native women from rape and violence.


COMPOSITION OF THE HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE

The Resources Committee handles Indian affairs in the House of Representatives making it a crucial committee for our work. Here are the members of that committee for the 109th Congress.

Republicans:

Chairman Richard Pombo (CA), Don Young (AK), Jim Saxton (NJ), Elton Gallegly (CA), John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN), Wayne T. Gilchrest (MD), Ken Calvert (CA), Barbara Cubin (WY), George P. Radanovich (CA), Walter B. Jones, Jr. (NC), Chris Cannon (UT), John E. Peterson (PA), Jim Gibbons (NV), Greg Walden (OR), Thomas G. Tancredo (CO), J.D. Hayworth (AZ), Jeff Flake (AZ), Rick Renzi (AZ), Stevan Pearce (NM), Devin Nunes (CA), Henry Brown (SC), Thelma Drake (VA), Luis Fortuno (PR), Cathy McMorris (WA), Bobby Jindal (LA), Louie Gohmert (TX).

Democrats:

Vice-Chairman Nick Rahll (WV), Dale E. Kildee (MI), Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, (AS), Neil Abercrombie, (HI), Solomon P. Ortiz (TX), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ), Donna M. Christensen (VI), Ron Kind (WI), Grace F. Napolitano (CA), Tom Udall (NM), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ), Madeleine Z. Bordallo (Guam), Jim Costa (CA), Charlie Melancon (LA), Dan Boren (OK), George Miller (CA), Ed Markey (MA), Peter DeFazio (OR), Jay Inslee (WA), Mark Udall (CO), Dennis Cardoza (CA), Stephanie Herseth (SD).


CONTACTING POLICY MAKERS

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Rep. ________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Sen. ________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

White House Comment Desk:
202-456-1111
Fax: 202-456-2461
president@whitehouse.gov

FCNL Native American Legislative Updates are intended as a supplement to other FCNL materials and do not reflect FCNL's complete policy position on any issue, nor do they include all pertinent facts on any topic. For more information, or to request the FCNL Indian Report and other background documents, please contact the FCNL's Native American Advocacy Program: (202) 547-6000, 245 2nd St. NE, Washington, DC 20002; Indian@fcnl.org Or visit http://www.fcnl.org/issues/nat/natindx.htm

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