It isn’t Often that I have the honor to say thank you. But today is that day! I must commend Senator John Thune(R) from the state of South Dakota & Senator Jon Kyl (R) from the state of AZ. These two men, are desperatly trying to help Native Americans that are much in need. This help has been overlooked far to long. I also wish to thank Senator Dick Durbin(D) for his promised support…
This bill was drafted by Obama, and was made for aid to countries overseas. If it was up to Obama, this bill would not be for Native Americans. The Senators from AZ and South Dakota, are trying to change that. It appears that Obama and McCain are to busy campianing to vote on this bill. I encourage them to vote! Do not stand back and watch others do the work! Show Indian Country you mean what you say!! Now is your chance….
Senator Thune & Senator Kyl are leading the charge for the money as part of S.2731, a bill that would provide $50 billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and related programs worldwide. The two Republicans question why the United States can’t share some of the funding with tribes.
“There are two other needs on our Indian reservations that are drastic, they are emergencies,” Kyl said on the Senate floor yesterday, referring to law enforcement and water.
“It’s an embarrassment that we in the Congress are not able to meet these requirements for our own Native American population and yet we’re willing to spend $50 billion on this foreign aid program,” added Kyl, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate.
Thune said his amendment addresses a wide range of law enforcement and justice issues. Half of the $1 billion will go to the Department of Justice for construction, rehabilitation and placement of detention facilities.
A report that was commissioned by the Bush administration recommended the construction of 263 detention facilities at a cost of $8.4 billion over 10 years, Kyl noted.
Another 40 percent would go to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to fund law enforcement personnel and tribal courts. The remaining 10 percent of the $1 billion is dedicated to investigations and prosecutions by the FBI and U.S. Attorneys and for other justice efforts.
“Tribal, state, and federal leaders face a host of challenges in Indian Country, and many of them have roots in inadequate funding and infrastructure for law enforcement,” Thune said yesterday.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) vowed to be the “first in line” to vote for the amendment. He said tribes are being “shortchanged and deprived” by the federal government.
“When Sen. Kyl and others come forward and ask use to find money to help Native Americans, they can count on many of us on the Democratic side,” said Durbin, the second-highest Democrat in the Senate.
Along with the Thune and Kyl amendment, the Senate will consider 10 amendments to the global health bill. A final vote is expected later this week.
The effort comes at the BIA considers just what it takes to improve law enforcement on reservations. One example is coming from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, where the agency is spending $1 million over three months to combat high crime rates.
According to press reports from South Dakota, the “surge” has been successful. But Pat Ragsdale, the director of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services, has acknowledged that Operation Dakota Peacekeeper could end once the money runs out.
As part of the Interior Department’s budget, Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has increased funding for law enforcement in the past two years. But officials acknowledge the BIA only meets about half of the need for police officers on reservations.
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is considering draft legislation to address what Sen. Byron Dorgan(D-North Dakota) calls a “crisis” in public safety on reservations. Thune is co-sponsoring the bill.
Everyone should write and call both McCain & Obama and encourage them to vote on this bill!
Show us were you really stand…
Debi
I enjoy dropping by this blog. Interesting slant. My father retired as a BIA Law Enforcemtn officer in 1985 out of Crow Agency, MT. I grew up on many reservations on the Great Plains during his government service. The greater issue might be to look at the root causes as to why funds are needed to maintain law and order and punish violators in Indian Country. Lack of 2 parent families, drug addictions, self-esteem issues, work ethic and lack of econmic independance in reservation economies. I wish the problem were easier than throwing money at more cops and more courts. And the problems aren’t indigenous to Indian Country.
I would agree with you, the issues we face are many. At a later time I plan to write about this topic. It needs to be addressed. Thanks for your comment…
No, I am blamming him for introducing a bill to send billions overseas. Thats all, I cannot give him credit for the admendment to the bill, for Native Americans when he did not suppport it or vote. I am addressing a bill. Not the entire history. Obama did not do one thing to help the bill, once it was admended to send some money to Native Tribes. I really think you missed the point, where did I say it was Obamas fault for dishonor? I simply said he does not care. If he did, why didn’t he join with the two senators and at least support it? Why? Also, why did he not take the time to vote? To busy giving speaking to large crowds, I would assume. You see, this bill got voted on yesterday. And it passed, but not with the help of Obama or McCain. Neither showed up to support or vote. So, if Obama cares so much about Americans why does he want to send billions to foreign nations?
Today, I am sad for America. How can someone be allowed to destroy what represent us and nobody reports it?
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/07/21/obama-ditches-the-american-flag/#comment-483361
It is a sad day in America.
Great Blog keep up the good work to imform others.:)