Senate panel embraces formal apology to Indians
Associated Press
May. 26, 2005 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON - Legislation to offer a formal apology to American Indians
for centuries of government mistreatment and neglect received a warm
reception at a Senate committee hearing Wednesday.
"While we cannot erase the record of our past, I am confident that we
can acknowledge our past failures, express sincere regrets and work
toward establishing a brighter future for all Americans," Sen. Sam
Brownback told the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Brownback, R-Kan., is the key sponsor of the apology resolution
Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., said he will help Brownback
steer the resolution to the full Senate for a vote.
"Reviewing the history of this government's treatment of Native peoples
makes painfully obvious that the government has repeatedly broken its
promises and caused great harm to the nation's original inhabitants,"
McCain said.
Tex Hall, president of the National Congress of American Indians, urged
Congress to recognize ongoing problems.
"Tribal leaders have cautioned that the apology will be meaningless if
it is not accompanied by actions that begin to correct the wrongs of the
past and the present," Hall said.
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May Reports
Last updated on May 28, 2005