A bill to recognize six Virginia tribes is stalled in the Senate pending resolution of gaming issues, a spokesperson for Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia) said.

But federal recognition is more than just gaming, Tex G. Hall, president of the National Congress of American Indians, said. Hall spoke to about 200 people at the Virginia Historical Society on Wednesday night about the benefits that come with federal status.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee approved a bill to recognize the Chickahominy, the Chickahominy Eastern Division, the Monacan, the Nansemond, the Rappahannock, and the Upper Mattaponi tribes. The tribes are some of the oldest state-recognized tribes in the nation.

Get the Story:
Virginia's Indians seek recognition (The Hampton Roads Daily Press 6/17)
'It also means writing history' (The Richmond Times-Dispatch 6/17)

Get the Bill:
Senate Committee Report | The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2003 (S.1423)

Related Stories:
Senate panel backs recognition of Virginia tribes (05/10)
Virginia tribes press case for federal recognition (04/19)
Virginia tribes seeks support for recognition bill (03/15)
Va. tribes seek recognition for Jamestown 2007 (2/16)
Senate bill to recognize six Va. tribes advances (10/30)
GOP Editorial: Say no to Virginia's tribes (05/19)
BIA opposes Va. recognition bill (09/27)
Va. tribes rally for sovereignty (4/30)
Recognition of Va. tribes opposed (1/26)
Recognition bills crowd Congress (11/29)
Virginia tribes: Recognition Yes, Casinos No (09/19)