Statement on Signing the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act

Statement on Signing the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act

December 27, 2000

Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 5528, the ``Omnibus Indian
Advancement Act.'' This Act is the product of lengthy negotiations among
the Congress, my Administration, tribal governments and other interested
parties. I commend all of the participants in these negotiations for
their work in producing a bill that will benefit many Indian
communities.
This Act emphasizes my Administration's commitment to self-
determination and self-governance of American Indian, Alaska Native, and
Native Hawaiian people. In particular, the Act establishes an American
Indian Education Foundation to encourage and accept private gifts to
help further the education of Indian children attending Bureau of Indian
Affairs schools in grades K-12; offers increased economic development
opportunities for Indian tribes; authorizes new activities to help
support and improve tribal governance, including the new Native Nations
Institute at the Morris K. Udall Foundation; provides for the settlement
of an historic land case in California; restores and reestablishes the
Federal and trust relationship to two separate tribal groups; improves
housing assistance to and affordable housing for Native Americans and
Native Hawaiians; and includes other benefits and authorities for
various American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.
Section 1104 of this bill raises a constitutional concern insofar as
it could be read to interfere with my constitutional authority to
determine when and whether to recommend legislation to the Congress. I
will therefore treat it as precatory.
This Act demonstrates our commitment to providing more support to
the aboriginal peoples of this Nation. I am pleased to sign it into law.
William J. Clinton
The White House,
December 27, 2000.