Today the Senate Indian Affairs Committee will consider the Lumbee Recognition Act, a bill I introduced to provide full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

In 1885, the Lumbee were recognized as a tribe by the State of North Carolina, but when the U.S. Congress passed the Lumbee Act in 1956, the bill unjustly denied the tribe the assistance that every other federally recognized tribe receives.

On many occasions I have met with the Lumbee people, and I am always inspired by their tremendous pride and determination, even after years of disappointments. Sadly their resolve continues to be tested, not only as they strive for federal recognition, but also as their Robeson County community is plagued by social ills, including a murder rate more than three times the state average. As The N&O reported July 25, this is a "deeply ingrained problem that is tied to poverty, drug and alcohol abuse and a lack of education."

The Lumbee Recognition Act --and the critical funding and benefits this legislation would make available to the tribe -- would be of real help to the 50,000 Lumbee, as well as to the county and region they call home. I will continue my strongest efforts to move this important legislation forward.

Elizabeth Dole

U.S. Senate

Washington