"I am honored to participate in this historic signing ceremony today that ends the Bennett Freeze," said Congressman Renzi.   "For forty years, hundreds of families have been living in a time warp, below third world conditions, but now finally have a chance to improve their lives.  With this compact now signed, we must work with the Hopi Tribe and the Navajo Nation to rehabilitate the Freeze Area, and fight poverty and economic hardship that has devastated this region for far too long."

On September 26, 2006, the Navajo Nation Council voted overwhelmingly to approve a settlement agreement negotiated over the last several years with the Hopi Tribe that would resolve conflicts over ownership and access to land in the western portion of the Navajo Nation.   These conflicts had led to a federally imposed construction freeze (25 U.S.C. Section 640d-9(f)), commonly referred to as the "Bennett Freeze" after BIA Commissioner Robert Bennett who first imposed it. The Hopis approved the settlement agreement on October 12, 2006. 

"I look forward to the rejuvenation of Navajo families of the Bennett Freeze," said Navajo Nation Council Delegate Hope MacDonald Lonetree.   "We will now require the help of the federal government to provide the necessary resources to improve the lives of my people."

Also participating in the ceremony today was Navajo Nation Council Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan; Navajo Attorney General Louise Dennetsosie and other officials of the Navajo Nation; Cedric Kuwaninvaya, Chairman of the Hopi Land Team and other members of the Hopi Tribal Council.

Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs was represented by BIA Director Pat Ragsdale; Director of Trusts Arch Wells; Western Regional Director Allen Anspach; and Navajo Regional Office Acting Director Omar Bradley.

Renzi is now working on legislation to authorize funding to rehabilitate the Bennett Freeze Area.