Column: Virginia recognition bill stalled in Senate

Monday, July 30, 2007  

"Karenne Wood's words in May seem prophetic. The U.S. House of Representatives, amid the fanfare of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, had passed a bill that would give federal recognition to six Virginia Indian tribes. But Wood, a former chairwoman of the Virginia Council on Indians, felt doubt wrapping around her joy.

"I wonder if this is real," she said at the time. "I wonder if we're going to get hung up in the Senate or some other obstacle will be presented."

She now has her answer. It wasn't real. Federal recognition of Virginia's tribes isn't on the Senate radar.

Spokesman John Ullyot said Republican Sen. John W. Warner's position remains unchanged since May, when he said he wouldn't allow a measure that "would open a way for gambling in Virginia against the wishes of a majority of the people."

Given Warner's co-sponsorship last year of a federal recognition bill with then-Sen. George Allen, [Virginia Indian Tribal Alliance for Life President Wayne] Adkins is baffled at his current stance.

"We thought the way the House bill was written, that seemed to me exactly what he was asking for," said the second assistant chief of the Chickahominy tribe.

Democratic Sen. Jim Webb, meanwhile, is taking "a very fresh and thorough look at this entire issue," according to spokeswoman Jessica Smith. He's also exploring whether it should be handled by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs instead of by Congress."

Get the Story:
Michael Paul Williams: Politicians forget Va. tribes again (The Richmond Times-Dispatch 7/30)

Another Story:
Tribe Battle Goes To Senate (The Hartford Courant 7/20)
pwday

White House Transcript:
President Bush Celebrates at America's 400th Anniversary in Jamestown (May 13, 2007

Statements:
Rep. Jim Moran: House Approves Federal Recognition for VA Tribes (May 8, 2007) | WOLF STATEMENT ON FEDERAL RECOGNITION OF VIRGINIA INDIAN TRIBES (May 8, 2007)

Roll Call:
Providing for the consideration of H.R. 1294, Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act (May 8, 2007)

Committee Hearings:
Full Committee Markup (April 25, 2007) | Full Committee Legislative Hearing: H.R. 1294 and H.R. 65 (April 18, 2007)

Recognition Bill:
Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act (H.R.1294)

Relevant Links:
Virginia Indians Tribal Alliance For Life - http://www.vitalva.org
House Resources Committee - http://resourcescommittee.house.gov

Related Stories:
Voice of America: Virginia tribes wait on status (05/18)
Bush: Virginia tribes paid cost for Jamestown (5/14)
Opinion: The Jamestown invasion and genocide (5/14)
No rush for Virginia recognition bill in Senate (5/10)
Editorial: Take up Virginia recognition in Senate (5/10)
Virginia tribes clear hurdle in House (5/9)
House passes Virginia tribes recognition bill (5/9)
Gaming affects federal recognition bills (5/8)
Vote expected on Virginia recognition bill (5/8)
Pat Buchanan: Indians had the land and we took it (5/8)
Virginia tribes hope 2007 is year for recognition (5/7)
Editorial: A step forward for Virginia's tribes (5/7)
Opinion: Virginia Indians advocate 'mythology' (5/4)
Rep. Moran expects vote on Virginia recognition (5/3)
Editorial: Virginia tribes deserve recognition (5/1)
Virginia recognition bill clears House committee (4/26)
Virginia tribes make case for recognition bill (4/19)
Adkins: Virginia tribes deserve federal recognition (4/18)
House hearing on Lumbee, Virginia recognition (4/18)
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Letter: Indians are the Palestinians of Virginia (10/16)
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