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JANUARY 25, 2001

Freshman Congressman Rob Simmons (R-Conn) on Wednesday sent out public notices for his February hearing on Indian issues in his state.

Simmons said he hopes the public can give him input on issues such as trust land acquisition and federal recognition. He said he might consider amending the 1983 Mashantucket Pequot Settlement Act as a result.

The law extended federal recognition to the tribe. It also settled their existing land claim lawsuit by defining the borders of their southeastern Connecticut reservation.

Local leaders and state Attorney General Blumenthal said the act settled once and for all the tribe's land holdings. So they sued the Department of Interior over its decisiont to annex 165 acres of land for the tribe.

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals last fall reversed a district court decision and ruled in favor of the Interior. The state is appealing the decision and hopes the Supreme Court will accept it.

The state also filed lawsuit over the decisions to extend preliminary recognition to the Eastern Pequot and Paucatuck Eastern Pequot Tribes. Simmons suggested a law which would prevent someone like Kevin Gover, former head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, from immediately taking a job involving federal recognition issues.

Simmon's field hearing will take place February 9 at 10 AM in Room 1D of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Tribal and BIA officials have been invited.

Get the Story:
Simmons looks to public for suggestions on Indian issues (The New London Day 1/25)

Related Stories:
Pequot law to get hearing (Tribal Law 1/17)