For Immediate Release Contact: Peter Karafotas (202) 225-3611
Friday, October 8, 2004
Washington, D.C.-Today, the House of Representatives passed an amendment by a vote of 256-160, with 215 of 221 Republicans voting for the amendment that could lead to the desecration and destruction of Native American human
remains, cultural items and sacred sites in the San Diego, California area.
This provision will be included in the H.R. 10 - 9/11 Recommendations
Implementation Act.
The amendment, sponsored by Congressman Doug Ose (R-CA), allows for the continuation of construction of a security barrier in south San Diego and
waives the requirements of several laws and mandates including four that
specifically and directly impact Indian tribes. These laws include: the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, the 1996 Executive Order 13007 on
Sacred Sites and the Archeological Resources Protection Act Amendments of
1979. Waiving these requirements will preclude tribal and archeological
notice and consultation if Native American graves are inadvertently or
deliberately disturbed or if human remains are disinterred.
"By enacting federal laws and implementing federal mandates, we promised
Native Americans that we would protect and preserve their places of worship,
resting places for the deceased and religious freedom. This amendment
breaks that promise by not providing any mechanism for notice or
consultation upon finding any cultural, ceremonial or historical sites,"
said Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI).