CALIFORNIA STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY OVERWHELMINGLY ENDORSES PROP 1A -
THE INDIAN SELF RELIANCE AMENDMENT
BURLINGAME, CA., February 6, 2000 -- The California Republican Party, at its
state convention in Burlingame on Sunday, voted to support Proposition 1A -
the Indian Self-Reliance Amendment. With more than 600 delegates in
attendance, the membership voted overwhelming to endorse the ballot measure
that will protect Indian gaming on Indian lands.
Speaking from the floor of the convention, state party chairman John McGraw
introduced the resolution and asked delegates to support Prop 1A saying, " I
have had the opportunity to actually visit a large number of Indian
reservations in this state and I can tell you I was more than shocked at the
state of living conditions that I saw. Prop 1A deserves our support to allow
Indian tribes to operate gaming on their own lands and to continue on the
road to self reliance."
"For most of the past century, Indians on reservations have lived in extreme
poverty, welfare dependency and despair," said McGraw. "Voter approval of
Prop 1A will ensure that Indian gaming can continue to eliminate welfare and
create jobs."
According to Prop 1A campaign co-chairman and Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians
tribal chairman Anthony Pico, "the level of support from Republican delegates
as well as elected leaders for Prop 1A has been unprecedented and we are
grateful. The Republican Party demonstrated their commitment to inclusiveness
and to the belief that California's Indian people should have the economic
freedom to achieve self-reliance."
In a letter to delegates, nearly 40 Republican elected leaders urged support
of 1A including State Senate Republican Caucus chairman Jim Brulte; State
Assembly representatives Jim Battin, Brett Granlund, Dick Ackerman, Mike
Briggs, Bill Campbell, Dave Cox, Jim Cuneen, Dick Dickerson, Bob Margett, Rod
Pacheco, Robert Pacheco, Anthony Pescetti, George Runner, Charlene Zettel,
Keith Ohlberg, Bill Leonard, Ken Maddox, Abel Maldonado, Marilyn Brewer,
Howard Kaloogian and Peter Fruscetta; Secretary of State Bill Jones, State
Insurance Commissioner Bill Jones, State Senators Ray Haynes, Maurice
Johannessen, John Lewis, Cathie Wright, Bruce McPherson and Ross Johnson.
Prop 1A allows California Indian tribes to continue regulated gaming on
federally-designated reservation lands to provide jobs and fund education,
economic development, cultural preservation, housing and health care programs
for tribal members.
QUOTES FROM REPUBLICAN DELEGATES AND TRIBAL LEADERS
Republican delegate and tribal chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of
Cahuilla Indians Richard Milanovich said he was very pleased with the strong
support of the Republican party.
"As a lifelong member of the Republican Party, it has meant a great deal to
see such a broad cross-section of Republicans from throughout the state come
forward with such tremendous support of Prop1A ," said Milanovich. "The
elimination of welfare dependency; the pride of being able to support
yourself and your family as well as making a positive contribution to your
community are basic to Republican principles. Tribal gaming has enabled
California tribes to erase welfare, create jobs, and provide badly needed
services to their reservations at no cost to taxpayers."
Republican delegate and Morongo Band of Mission Indians tribal council
member Damon Sandoval: "Prop 1A will to protect the economic survival of
Indian tribes. A YES vote on Prop 1A will make it clear once and for all that
Indian gaming on tribal lands has the legal protection of the state. It will
preserve California's tribes ability to continue the gaming that has provides
thousands of jobs, taken thousands of Indians off welfare and provided funds
not otherwise available of education, housing and health care for tribal
members."
Republican delegate and Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Anthony Miranda:
"Without Prop 1A, tribes throughout the state will face a shutdown of their
tribal casinos. If Indian gaming in California were shut down, it would be
devastating for California Indians and bad for California taxpayers and our
state's economy."
Former Republican state party chairman Mike Schroeder: "If there is
anything that the Republican Party stands for it is keeping our word.
California tribes have been forced to live in terrible conditions of welfare
dependency, substandard healthcare and housing.
As a nation, we entered into treaties that made it clear that the Indian
people would determine what was best for their communities on their own
lands. Prop 1A, which will protect Indian self-reliance, deserves our
support."
Senator Bill Leonard: "I am urging support of Prop 1A. California Indian
tribes are our friends and neighbors and have contributed to our communities
and to our economy. The gaming they now operate on tribal lands was
authorized under federal law and it represents their ability to become
self-sufficient. The compacts that were negotiated specifically limit gaming
activities on Indian reservations. I have personally visited these
reservations and thanks to tribal gaming, they are now building health
clinics, schools, roads and more."
Prop 1A also received the official endorsement of the California Democratic
Party this past November as well as the endorsement of Governor Gray Davis,
Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, Senate President Pro Tem John Burton,
Attorney General Bill Lockyer and Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa and
many state Democratic lawmakers. The measure has received broad bi-partisan
support.
Release: Immediate
Contact: Waltona Manion (310)203-4605, Californians For Indian Self-Reliance