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OCTOBER 6, 2000

The law which granted the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation federal recognition and redefined the borders of their Connecticut reservation won't be changed, said the Congressman who introduced the legislation in 1983.

Representative Sam Gejdenson (D-Conn) told The New London Day its not proper to change the law now since he never intented to prevent the tribe from expanding their reservation. Three local towns and the state of Connecticut filed a lawsuit against the Department of Interior but lost in their attempt to prevent the tribe from adding 165 acres to its land base.

Gejdenson said he will ask former Senator George Mitchell of Maine to help mediate between the towns and the tribe, if the towns desire.

Get the Decision:
Connecticut v. Babbitt (Second Circuit Court of Appeals. No. 99-6042. September 2000)

Get the Story:
Gejdenson prepared to enlist help of Mitchell (The New London Day 10/6)

Related Stories:
Lawyer claims rules directed at towns (Tribal Law 10/5)
Anti-Pequot towns: No one's helping us (9/28)
Pequot tribe tries to assuage fears (9/28)
Towns want 'sloppy' legislation fixed (9/27)
Residents want tribe to pay taxes (9/27)
Tribe wants to add more land (9/27)
Does a Pequot empire await? (Tribal Law 9/27)
Court rules against anti-Pequot towns (Tribal Law 9/26)
Towns optimistic about Pequot suit (Tribal Law 06/15)