The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TITLE VII OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S11569 on Oct. 31, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TITLE VII OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I submit the following clarification to the fiscal year 1998 Interior and related agencies appropriations bill on behalf of myself and Senator Mack. I ask that it be printed in the Record.
The clarification follows:
Mack-Graham Statement Concerning Title VII of the Fiscal Year 1998
Interior Appropriations Bill
Title VII of the FY'98 Interior Appropriations Bill approves and implements a settlement between the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Florida Department of Transportation. It should be understood that the lawsuit referred to in section 702(2) and elsewhere has already been dismissed. However, since the lawsuit formed the underlaying basis of the dispute and could be revived absent this settlement, the settlement and this legislation refers to the lawsuit and settles all claims based on the underlying facts of the lawsuit. It should also be understood that the concurrence of the Board of Trustees of the International Improvements Trust Fund referred to in section 702(7)(B)(ii) relates only to the transfer of land to which the Board holds title. Insofar as the settlement provides for such land transfers wherein the Board has certain responsibilities, the Board concurs. The Board has taken no position with respect to other parts of the settlement regarding which the Board has no responsibility and which are instead within the authority and responsibility of the Florida Department of Transportation, which has executed the settlement.
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