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From: Ruth Dial Woods
Date: 08 Jan 2004
Time: 22:36:54 -0500
Remote Name: 172.131.167.242
Steve - Thank you for your response to the Discussion Forum on Lumbee Issues and Concerns. Recently, Senator Dole reiterated her support for passage of the Lumbee Acknowledgement Bill as one of her three goals for the next session of Congress. Talks continue with her office and we believe that she is a woman of her word because of her strong commitment to values and high standards. She has certainly worked hard and continues to be supportive of federal acknowledgement for the Lumbee based on what is fair. Congressman McIntyre has also made a strong commitment for support in the House and has more co-sponsors for a federal acknowledgement bill than has ever been counted before. The ipact of the recent problems with the Housing Program and poor communications between and among tribal council members and the community and the unwillingness of the leadership to accept responsibility for inappropriate ations will not serve the Lumbee well as efforts proceed for federal acknowledgement. The purpose of my watchdog activities is a call fo responsibility on the part of all levels of leadership, steps for corrective action that will ensure honesty and integrity of the tribal government, and to promote strong values and leadership worthy of respect and dignity of which our people have for centuries been most proud. You may want to conact the tribal government directly through the Lumbee Business Resource Center that has responsibility for assisting small business owners and entrepreneurs in pursuing HUB and 8-A certification as well as other services as part of the ANA grant to the tribe. Your website has the location at lumbeetribe.com Godspeed and thank you for your participation and support in this effort.