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From: Ruth Dial Woods
Date: 18 Jan 2004
Time: 09:58:59 -0500
Remote Name: 172.209.64.57
The following news article is from The Robesonian of January 16, 2004 Goins pledges accountability Chairman, 21 council members take oath By Mark Locklear - Staff writer LUMBERTON - Jimmy Goins, the Lumbee tribe's new chairman, said he plans to bring accountability to the forefront during his term in office while performing his duties in a reliable and trustworthy manner. "It is my goal to provide leadership which is both answerable and responsible to you, the tribal membership," Goins said. "My agenda is based on one principle: accountability." Goins, 55, and the 21-member council were sworn into office before more than 600 people at the Southeastern Regional Agricultural Center/Farmers Market on Thursday. Besides Goins, there were 13 new members sworn into the tribal government. The ceremony was attended by several county officials, U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre and a representative of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's office. Goins, who sells insurance and lives in the Prospect community, said he will ensure the administration will work openly with the public. "I want the executive branch to be accessible, with an open-door policy to interact with all tribal members regardless of their economic, educational or political status. "Our administration should, and will be, above reproach, exhibiting integrity and, above all, have the ability to relate to all tribal members," he said. "They will be required to demonstrate compassion when necessary, as well as understand that without the tribal membership, there will be no government and no jobs." He said he also plans to implement programs for the youth, elderly, the disabled and veterans. Goins, who replaces Milton Hunt, was greeted with a several standing ovations when he was introduced and several more during his 20-minute speech. Goins, with his wife Diane by his side, raised both arms and pumped his fist after Tribal Chief Judge Henry Ward Oxendine administered the oath. Pearlene Dial, of Pembroke, said she thinks Goins will be a good fit in the leadership role. "I believe Jimmy Goins is an excellent person," Dial said, "and will do an excellent job as tribal chairman." Goins said after the ceremony that he was relieved and excited to begin his three-year term. The former tribal councilman defeated Ruth Dial Woods in a close race in November. Woods challenged the results, but the Lumbee Supreme Court ruled against a recount and named Goins chairman in December. The two-hour ceremony included traditional native dancing, drumming, chants and entertainment by local beauty queens. Tony Clark, a local traditionalist, blessed the room by burning sage. The swearing-in ceremony was almost a back drop to an impromptu federal recognition rally. McIntyre led the way be returning to his oft-repeated theme: "It's time for discrimination to end and recognition to begin." McIntyre said the House bill that would grant recognition to the 55,000-member tribe has 234 co-sponsors. The last time the bill went before Congress, it had 20 co-sponsors from the House of Representatives, McIntyre said. The Senate bill passed through the Indian Affairs Committee last fall and is awaiting a Congressional vote. "She's excited about working with Congressman McIntyre to make Lumbee recognition a reality," said Reginald Holley, state deputy director for Dole. "The best is yet to come." Superior Court Judge Gary Locklear told the 21 councilmembers to "emphasize on the positive and eliminate the negative. There are people who take pleasure, believe it or not, reading about negative things. "Reasonable men and women differ, but tribal recognition is bigger than any other problem," Locklear said. Harold Strickland, who lives in Pembroke, said he anticipates positive things from his new government. "They are a good-looking group," Strickland said. "I hope they strive to work together because there has been a lot of effort put forth to form this government. I am looking for great things." Copyright © 2004The Robesonian