A JOINT RESOLUTION supporting the lumbee recognition act, which extends full federal recognition to the lumbee tribe of north carolina.
Whereas, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, consisting of about 55,000 members, residing primarily in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties, is the largest Indian tribe in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina has recognized the Lumbee as an Indian tribe since 1885; and
Whereas, the Lumbee Tribe has fought to gain federal recognition for more than a century, beginning in 1888, when the Tribe petitioned Congress for recognition and assistance but was denied; and
Whereas, since that time, numerous bills have been introduced to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina; and
Whereas, in 1956, Congress passed the Lumbee Act, which recognized the Lumbee as Indians but withheld the full benefits of federal recognition given to other tribes; and
Whereas, on April 22, 2021, Congressmen G. K. Butterfield, Dan Bishop, David Price, and Richard Hudson introduced the Lumbee Recognition Act, which extends full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and makes its members eligible for the same services and benefits provided to members of other federally recognized tribes. An identical bill passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020. Senator Richard Burr also introduced similar legislation on April 27, 2021; and
Whereas, the Lumbee Indians deserve to have full federal recognition of their status as an Indian tribe and that the benefits, privileges, and immunities that accompany such status should be accorded to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina urges Congress to support legislation extending full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly expresses support of the passage of The Lumbee Recognition Act or similar legislation and urges Congress to enact such legislation.
SECTION 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the members of North Carolina's congressional delegation.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.