The following was released by Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Michigan). July 29, 2010.

Today, Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Democratic Chairman of the House Native American Caucus, joined President Barack Obama and Tribal Leaders at the signing of the Tribal Law and Order Act at the White House. Congressman Kildee has long supported this critical legislation which will help address public safety concerns in tribal communities.

"I am proud to have helped pass this long overdue legislation. The Federal Government is obligated through various treaties with Indian tribes to provide public safety, yet it has failed in this duty for far too long. This failure has contributed to a violence rate on Indian reservations that is two and a half times higher than the national average. It is estimated that one in three native women will be raped or sexually assaulted in her lifetime. Despite these troubling statistics, only 3,000 tribal law enforcement officers cover over 56 million acres of land in Indian Country.

The Tribal Law and Order Act will take important steps to address these serious problems. Among other improvements, it will provide for more law enforcement officers and improve training, enhance federal accountability and evidence sharing with federal agencies, and reauthorize funding for and strengthen tribal courts. This is an important achievement for Indian Country," said Congressman Kildee.

Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act:
H.R.725

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924

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