Laura Richardson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart full of sorrow over the horrific violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which

claimed the innocent lives of twenty children and six school employees. The loss of life and innocence at Sandy Hook is a tragedy over which all Americans mourn, and the thoughts and prayers of Americans everywhere go out to all the victims and their families.

This tragedy represents the fourth time the Nation has been horrified to learn that innocent lives have been ended by gun violence in the past few months. I believe the time has come--indeed, the time has long passed--for this Nation to reevaluate the accessibility and control, in particular, of military assault weapons in our country.

I therefore call upon the President and the Congress to place sensible gun control legislation at the top of their legislative agenda, beginning with the reposition of the expired assault weapons ban. Although such action cannot undo last week's tragedy, I believe it will help to prevent a similar occurrence in the future. For the sake of those lost in Connecticut and all Americans who mourn, we should act without delay.

Words cannot express the deep grief of the families and loved ones of the victims, nor can they properly offer comfort. My thoughts and prayers are with the children, parents, teachers, staff members, and families affected by the violence. I ask my colleagues to join me in a moment of silence.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3193, which amends the Native American Technical Corrections Act of 2004 to revise the description of the land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission Indians of California. This noncontroversial bill states that the parcel of private, non-Indian land that is excluded from the revised description was not intended to be held in trust for the Band or considered to be part of its reservation.

As a member of the Native American Caucus, I have worked with my colleagues in Congress to address the needs of Native Americans. California is home to nearly one hundred federally recognized tribes. I have made it a priority of mine in Congress to safeguard the interests of our tribes.

After thousands of years of peaceful life in the region, known today as San Diego County, Native American life was abruptly changed in the late 1700s. More than 200 years of hardship for Native Americans began with the arrival of the Spanish military and the establishment of the first presidio and mission in 1769.

In 1875, the Federal Government established the Capitan Grande Reservation for the native people living in the area at that time. About 40 years later in 1932, the city literally bought the Capitan Grande Reservation to build a reservoir and the people were removed from their land.

In 1932, without a homeland but with some Federal monies allotted from the sale, a group of the Capitan Grande tribal members purchased the Barona Ranch which today is the Barona Indian Reservation near Lakeside, about 30 miles northeast of San Diego. For many years living without electricity and other services, the tribal members tried to create a living through the ranch and farming.

Until the early 1990s, the Barona Tribe was still struggling economically in the backwoods of San Diego County. In 1994, the tribe, with the consulting guidance of Venture Catalyst, opened the Barona Casino ``Big Top'', and this property eventually became the world-class Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino.

The casino has become the means to a restoration of self-sufficiency, prosperity and renewed hope. Unemployment and welfare dependency have dropped from 70 percent to zero on the Barona reservation.

Mr. Speaker, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has a long and strong tradition that continues to this day. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. Senator Inouye was an extraordinary leader, family man, and American hero. He leaves behind his wife Irene and son Ken, as well as countless friends and constituents who mourn his passing. He was 88.

Senator Inouye served nobly in World War II and was awarded a Medal of Honor. He then continued to devote his life to our Nation and the State of Hawaii by becoming the state's first congressman as well as a nine-term senator. He was eventually appointed to the prestigious position of Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and in his work he was always mindful of strengthening our national security and fulfilling our promises to our veterans. Many of my constituents have family and friends in Hawaii, and I know they all directly benefited from his hard work and commitment to the values of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, Senator Inouye was a model of integrity, courage, and bipartisanship. His presence will be sorely missed, but I know his memory will inspire our leaders in years to come. I extend my thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones. I hope they find some comfort in knowing the incredible legacy he leaves behind in hearts across the Nation.