Liquor executive order sought

FEBRUARY 5, 2001

Two former Senators tried to get President Clinton to issue an executive order reinstating a 50-mile alcohol-free buffer zone around the Ogalala Laota Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

The buffer zone was first put into place by an 1882 executive order by President Arthur. It was formalized into law in 1889 but President Teddy Roosevelt revoked it, some saw unlawfully.

Former Senators George McGovern and James Abourezk tried to get Clinton to change that order but weren't able to get much of a response on it. Members of the tribe plan on addressing the liquor issue before the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission on February 12.

The border town of Whiteclay, Nebraska, sells mostly to Indian cliente.

Get the Story:
S.D. Tribe Trying to End Liquor Sales at Border (AP 2/4)