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As a member of the Native American caucus and a strong advocate for the Native American community, I have continued my efforts to protect the interests and sovereignty of Native Americans.

As a Latino who experienced poverty first-hand as a child, I recognize the struggles that disadvantaged communities face. Whether it is in the field of health care, housing, education, or economic development, it is essential that Congress listen to your concerns and address your needs.

Despite centuries of suffering, Native American tribes have worked hard to become self-sufficient. I commend tribal efforts at economic development and diversification. I have no doubt that in the coming years tribes across the country will become major players in the economic community.

Still, it is our obligation in Congress to address the rights and needs of the first Americans. Our government must honor its trust responsibility toward tribal governments and fight against the erosion of tribal sovereignty. To do this, we need an attitude change in Congress - we need leadership that recognizes that Native American issues are American issues.

This session, I introduced an amendment in the Science Committee that would grant millions of dollars in funding to tribally controlled colleges and universities. The amendment passed by voice vote and was incorporated into the Science Committee bill. In the Agriculture Committee I also fought for more research funding for tribally controlled colleges and universities.

This Congress, I introduced and supported legislation for Native Americans interests in law enforcement, health care, housing, education, and land trusts.

In the 107^th Congress I sponsored the following Native American legislation:

• H.Res. 101 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that schools across the Nation should teach about the role of Native Americans in American history and culture and lead community service projects that further that education.
• H.Res. 168 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Nation's schools should honor Native Americans for their contributions to American history, culture, and education. Earlier this year, the House passed this resolution.
• H.Res. 190 Calls for a national holiday on the 4th Friday in September to honor Native Americans. A Native American holiday would be one step toward making amends for the harm we have done as a nation to the first Americans. I believe that in this way we can begin healing the wounds. The legislation urges schools to educate all our children about the role of Native Americans in American history and culture. The bill is similar to legislation that I carried in California that became law.
• H.R. 1164 The Native American Hate Crimes and Criminal Justice Grant Program Act dedicates specified funds for grants to Indian tribal governments or law enforcement agencies for carrying out activities with the purpose of reducing violence and hate crimes against Native Americans and reducing incidents of crime on reservations.

In the 107^th Congress I co-sponsored the following Native American legislation:

Health:	H.R. 1383 Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Technical Amendment Act of 2001: improves the coverage of breast and cervical cancer treatment for American Indian and Alaska Native women.
	H.R. 1662 Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) Reauthorization: directs the delivery of health services to American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Education:	H.R. 1180 Tribal College or University Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act: Provides loan forgiveness for individuals who commit to teaching in tribal colleges or universities for up to five years.
	H.R. 2152 The Indian School Construction Act of 2001: Allows the Secretary of Interior to establish a pilot program for 2002 and 2003 under which eligible tribes have the authority to issue qualified tribal school modernization bonds to provide funding for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of tribal schools.
Economic Development:	H.R. 3407 Amends the Indian Financing Act of 1974 to improve the effectiveness of the Indian loan guarantee and insurance program.
	H.R. 4887 Amends the Internal Revenue Code by establishing that Indian tribal governments shall be treated as States for purposes of chapter 35, relating to taxes on wagering.
Housing:	H.R. 1873 The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2001: Extends for five years the 1996 NAHASDA law that has revolutionized Indian Housing.
	H.R. 1929 The Native American Veterans Home Loan Act of 2001: Extends the Native American veteran housing pilot program.
Veterans:	H. Con. Res. 166 The American Indian Veterans Recognition Resolution: Recognizes the significant contributions of American Indian men and women who served in our nation's armed forces, especially those that gave their lives, and honors them for their contributions to our nation's conflicts.
Lands Issues:	H.R. 3476 To protect certain lands held in fee by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians from condemnation until a final decision is made by the Secretary of the Interior regarding a pending fee to trust application for that land.

In the 107^th Congress I wrote the following letter:

• I wrote a letter to Secretary of the Interior Norton in support of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians' request that the Great Oak Ranch be granted trust status.

In the 107^th Congress I co-signed the following Native American letters:

• Letter to President Bush requesting increased funding to support juvenile diabetes research, treatment, and prevention for Native Americans.
• Letter to the Secretary of Interior Norton supporting the federal policy of promoting Indian self-sufficiency and tribal self-governance.
• Letter to Chairman Skeen of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee in support of $43 million in funding for tribal colleges.
• Letter to Dr. Trujillo, the Indian Health Services Director, requesting the immediate release of the additional $70 million in diabetes funding that was designated for FY 2001 and a re-evaluation of diabetes funding levels for FY 2002 and 2003.

In the 107^th Congress I voted on the following Native American legislation:

I argued on the floor against two provisions in the Interior Appropriations bill that would have infringed upon Native American sovereignty and voted for amendments that eliminated these provisions.

YES	Roll # 310, 7/17/02, on agreeing to the Amendment on H.R. 5093. The Hayworth Amendment eliminated a provision in the Interior Appropriations bill that would have taken away funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in order to conduct yet another study on tribal gaming. It is important that funding be used to improve education, housing, and other programs, and not be siphoned away from tribal governments.
YES	Roll # 311, 7/17/02, on agreeing to the Amendment on H.R. 5093. The Rahall Amendment eliminated a provision in the Interior Appropriations that would have limited the accounting of Native American trust funds. In this era of corporate irresponsibility, it is important that Native Americans receive a full and fair accounting of their trust accounts.