OFFICIAL RESPONSES

                                     11/04/2000

Dear Mr. Dargo:

Thank you for your informative e-mail correspondence. I appreciate your sharing with me your thoughts about activities in Alabama relating to use of land that is important to a Native American tribe.

I understand your concerns about this situation. While as a U.S. Senator for Indiana, I am not directly involved in this issue in Alabama, I do work in the Congress to support and provide oversight for many federal Native American programs. These programs are administered through the Departments of Justice, Interior, Health and Human Services, and other agencies.

In addition to providing funding and other assistance for education, housing, healthcare and transportation for Native American tribes, the federal government also takes land into sovereign trust on behalf of a certain tribe and protects the rights of tribes to live on
land that is declared sovereign for that tribe.

I am aware from news accounts where problems have occurred on certain lands that a Native American group recognizes as a sacred burial ground or that is historically significant to them in some way. This can be especially difficult if that land is owned by a local
government or a private entity.

The Congress continues to consider legislation on Native American issues, including: additional federal protections for tribes, trust lands issues, gaming and official recognition of tribes.

I have taken careful note of your concerns and will have your thoughts in mind as Congress continues to carry out its oversight responsibilities in this important area.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope you will continue to share your insights with me on matters of importance to you.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar
United States Senator

Date: Monday, October 30, 2000 7:17 PM
Subject: Conversation with National Prez, Jaycee.

O'siyo all, This hour, 6:45pm, I just got off the phone with Mr. John Prozinski, the National Jaycee president. He called me at about 6:15pm and explained that he would not be in on the 31st, so he would discuss the Indian Mounds by phone. It went very well.

He agrees to have the Jaycees find another location for next year. They will not be coming back to abuse the burial grounds again. He has made that known
to the Alabama Jaycee in your area.

He believes permits were issued, but I questioned that, so it remains for the Alabama Jaycee to show you it was done.

He is exerting what influence he has, which he says is really not much, towards having the Alabama Jaycee President and your Chief (and Vice Chief) sit down together, without any attorneys or distractions and hash this thing out, so it will not happen again. 

He thinks the younger Jaycees made the
choice of area, and then their own pigheadedness caused them to balk when advised they were on sacred ground. I did not argue that point, for I was
not there.

He knows of your Chief and Vice Chief, says they are good men. He has been following the protest closely and called to the police when the arrests were made.

To me, he sounded truthful, he knows the Jaycee will lose big time if it comes to court.

Lastly, he repeated that the Oakville Indian Mounds will never again be used by the Alabama Jaycee for any reason.

I also spoke to the CNO, Richard ALLEN today....another email for him.

Later,

Jim Burnes

Sent: Monday, October 30, 2000 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: Trail of Fear

Dear Ms Jackson,

Thank you for your message.


I try to keep up on the activities of the Jaycee chapters that happen in Washington chapters of the organization. I was unaware, however, of this
activity in a local chapter in the Alabama Jaycee organization.

I will certainly express my concern over this to my friend Ron, the President of the Alabama organization. I am sure that he too is unaware of the actual
activity involved in this chapter's project.

I do not know what impact that I can have on the activity of a local chapter in another state, however, I will pass along the information that you have sent to me.

When I hear back from Ron, I will let you know his response to me. In the meantime, let me assure you that it is not the intent of the Jaycees in Washington to ever hold an activity or event at the expense of any
group of people. Our organization is made up of young persons 21-39 that desire to develop their leadership skills through community service projects.

Sometimes people make bad decisions on the way to gaining experience. I certainly do not personally agree with every decision that is made within this, or any, organization, however, the road to experience and leadership is long and winding.

I am grateful that you have brought this incident to my attention. I will pass it along immediately to Ron and his team in the Alabama Jaycees.

Thank you.

Craig Perley
64th President
Washington Jaycees

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