"The news that Congress is moving toward official federal recognition of Virginia's Indian tribes is welcome, albeit woefully overdue. Rep. Jim Moran and Sen. Jim Webb deserve credit for carrying the measures and shepherding them toward passage.

The federal failure to recognize the tribes compounded historical injustices and was itself the result of another injustice, Virginia's attempt in the past century to expunge American Indians from the state's vital records.

The Obama administration has been oddly reticent about signifying support for recognizing Virginia's tribes. There's no reason to be. The facts are not in dispute. Neither should be the necessity of doing the right thing."

Get the Story:
Righting Wrongs (The Richmond Times-Dispatch 10/24)

Another Opinion:
Mike Williams: Obama could help Va. tribes seeking U.S. recognition (The RIchmond Times-Dispatch 10/24)

Also Today:
Feds closer to recognizing tribe (The Suffolk News-Herald 10/23)

Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2009:
S.1178 | H.R.1385

Committee Notice:
Lumbee, Virginia recognition up for consideration (10/21)
BUSINESS MEETING on pending committee issues (Thursday, October 15, 2009)

Related Stories:
Senate panel advances Virginia tribal recognition (10/23)
Virginia recognition bill on Senate panel agenda (10/20)
Indian Affairs Committee meeting and hearing (10/16)
Editorial: Virginia tribes move closer to recognition (06/17)
Paper runs series on Virginia tribal recognition (6/10)
Column: Don't make Virginia tribes wait any longer (6/8)
Virginia tribes focus work on Senate after House win (6/4)
Lumbee, Virginia recognition bills on House agenda (6/3)
House committee advances two recognition bills (4/22)
House Resources markup on recognition bills (4/21)
Congress urged to recognize six Virginia tribes (3/19)
Audio: House hearing on federal recognition bills (3/18)
Witness list for hearing on recognition bills (3/17)
House Resources hearing on federal recognition bills (3/16)
Column: Virginia tribes deserve federal recognition (3/12)
Bill to recognize Virginia tribes introduced in House (3/10)