Committee on Natural Resources

"Being Indian is an attitude, a state of mind, a way of being in harmony with all things and all beings. It is allowing the heart to be the distributor of energy on this planet, to allow feelings and sensitivities to determine where energy goes, bringing aliveness up from the Earth and from the Sky, putting it in and giving it out from the heart." Brooke Medicine Eagle

As the original stewards and protectors of our nation's natural resources, there is scarcely a corner of this great land that has not been enriched by the presence and influence of Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. From America's sweeping plains to glorious mountain peaks and sustenance-giving seas, their respect for the land and its bounty is a significant part of our national heritage.

Over the centuries, Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to this nation as sovereign entities. As a result, the United States has a unique political and legal relationship with Natives that is deeply rooted in American history and law.

But years of federal neglect have left these communities struggling to meet the challenges of everyday life. Health care facilities are unacceptably inadequate, resulting in shockingly high rates of illness and life-threatening disease among Natives, such as diabetes, cancer and infant mortality.

Crime and violence continue to run rampant throughout many of these communities, due to the lack of resources needed to tackle these atrocities. Sacred lands have been encroached in the administration's unprecedented drive to plunder our impressive landscapes. Recognition has been denied to deserving tribes.

In an effort to ensure these issues are given the prominent focus they deserve, matters pertaining to Indian affairs are considered at the full Committee level, under the leadership of Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV). The Committee is committed to addressing and reversing these startling trends, and will continue working to ensure justice and vitality for Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians across America.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Typi non habent claritatem insitam; est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum claritatem. Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius. Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum. Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram, anteposuerit litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta decima et quinta decima. Eodem modo typi, qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari, fiant sollemnes in futurum.

Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Typi non habent claritatem insitam; est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum claritatem.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.