A bill to fulfill a 50-year-old promise to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota has been sent to President Bush for his signature.

S.1146, the Three Affiliated Tribes Health Facility Compensation Act, authorizes the construction of a $20 million health care facility on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The facility will replace the hospital destroyed by flooding caused by the creation of the Garrison Dam beginning in 1949.

"Today is a great day for our people," said tribal chairman Tex Hall. "We have been waiting for this day for over 50 years."

The bill cleared the House yesterday by a voice vote. The Senate passed it in October 2003.

Hall said Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California) and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-West Virginia), the chairman and ranking member of the House Resources Committee, secured passage in the House. "Chairman Pombo has once again proven his solid leadership on American Indian issues and his deep understanding of the trust relationship.' Hall said. "And the people of the Mandan, Arikara and Hidatsa Nation know that Ranking Member Rahall will always stand by them."

Funding for the facility still needs to be appropriated by Congress and included in the Indian Health Service budget.

Get the Bill:
Three Affiliated Tribes Health Facility Compensation Act (S.1146)

Relevant Documents:
Written Senate Testimony (June 11, 2003)

Relevant Links:
Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation - http://www.mhanation.com <

Related Stories:
N.D. tribe asks Congress to fulfill 50-year-old promise (11/13)
N.D. tribes still feel effects of dam project (6/10)