Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff in the Indian trust fund lawsuit, released the following in response to a speech on the Senate floor by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming).

   "I was glad to hear Sen. Barrasso state that he wants to see our 14-year-old lawsuit settled and Indian account holders paid for the mismanagement of their individual trust accounts.

    "But the senator is wrong when he states that his amendment would not destroy the settlement.  It would do just that and deny justice to Indians who have been wronged for more than 100 years.

    "That's not just my word.  It's the word of the Attorney General and Interior Secretary.”