TITLE: Request Statutory Language Amendment to Increase Allocation for Indian Community Development Block Program
WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and
WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and
WHEREAS, the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) is a critical source of funding for tribes to develop desperately needed infrastructure on tribal lands; and
WHEREAS, the annual allocation for ICDBG is insufficient to meet the growing need in tribal communities; and
WHEREAS, current statutorily language states in 42 U.S.C. § 5306 (a) (1) the Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reserve one percent of Community Development Block Program to Indian tribes.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI does call upon Congress to amend 42 U.S.C. § 5305 (a) (1) to increase from one percent to a minimum 4% of the Community Development Block Grant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.
CERTIFICATION
The foregoing resolution was adopted by the General Assembly at the 2014 Annual Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, October 26-31, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia, with a quorum present.