Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 96 Part 2.djvu/907

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PUBLIC LAW 97-000—MMMM. DD, 1982

PUBLIC LAW 97-429—JAN. 8, 1983

96 STAT. 2269

Public Law 97-429 97th Congress An Act To grant Federal recognition to the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians; to clarify the status of the members of the band; to provide trust lands to the band, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Texas Band of Kickapoo Act". CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OP POLICY

SEC. 2. (a) Congress finds that the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians is a subgroup of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; that many years ago, the Band was forced to migrate from its ancestral lands to what is now the State of Texas and the nation of Mexico; that, although many members of the band meet the requirements for United States citizenship, some of them cannot prove that they are United States citizens; that, although the Band resides in the State of Texas, it owns no land there; that, because the Band owns no land in Texas, members of the Band are considered ineligible for services which the United States provides to other Indians who are members of federally recognized tribes because of their status as Indians except when the members of the Band are on or near the reservation of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; that members of the Band live under conditions that pose serious threats to their health; and that, because their culture is derived from three different cultures, they have unique needs including, especially, educational needs. (b) Congress therefore declares that the Band should be recognized by the United States; that the right of the members of the Band to pass and repass the borders of the United States should be clarified; that services which the United States provides to Indians because of their status as Indians should be provided to members of the Band in Maverick County, Texas; and, that land in the State of Texas should be taken in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Band.

Jan. 8, 1983 [H.R. 4496]

Texas Band of Kickapoo Act. 25 USC 1300b-ll note.

25 USC

1300b-ll.

DEFINITIONS

SEC. 3. For purposes of this Act— (a) "Band means the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians, a subgroup of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; (b) "Tribe" means the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; and (c) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior.

25 USC

1300b-12.

ESTABLISHMENT OF BAND ROLL; CLARIFICATION OF UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP

SEC. 4. (a) Within one year of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, after consultation with the Tribe, compile a roll of those members of the Tribe who possess Kickapoo blood and who are also members of the Band. When said roll is complete, the Secretary

25 USC 1300b-13. Notice, publication in Federal Register.