Sen. Kay Hagan (D-North Carolina) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) introduced a bill to extend federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

During the height of the termination era in the 1950s, Congress passed a law that identified the Lumbees as "Indians" but denied them the benefits associated with federal status. S.1132 clarifies the tribe's federal recognition once and for all.

"Full federal recognition is critical to the heritage and cultural identity of more than 55,000 North Carolinians and the economic vitality of the entire Lumbee community," Hagan said in a press release. "I am committed to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation to give the Lumbee Tribe the full recognition they deserve."

"I am proud to reintroduce this legislation, continuing my efforts to ensure that the Lumbee Tribe receives long-overdue federal recognition," Burr said. "I hope that the Senate will fulfill its commitment to achieve fairness and justice for the Lumbees

The House version is H.R.1803.

Get the Story:
Lumbee bill filed in Senate (The Robesonian 6/12)
North Carolina's U.S. senators introduce Lumbee Tribe recognition bill (The Fayetteville Observer 6/13)
Lumbee bill reintroduced (The Laurenburg Exchange 6/13)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Lumbee Tribe persistent in federal recognition quest (05/02)
Bill introduced to extend federal recognition to Lumbee Tribe (4/29)