Dear Representatives Driver and Walsh and Senators Algiere and Maher,

I am a resident of Charlestown and am writing to alert you to the efforts of one of your Legislative colleagues against the voters of Charlestown and Rhode Island.

Senator Juan Pichardo of Providence has made a press release announcing his request to the Rhode Island Congressional delegation to overturn the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of Rhode Island and restore the Department of Interior’s authority to place tribal lands into trust.

Taking land into trust for the Narragansett Tribe would strip the residents of Charlestown of their right to vote on the expansion of gambling. That right is enshrined in the Rhode Island Constitution, which Senator Pichardo has sworn to uphold.

The U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing on May 20 to hear testimony on this subject. The Town of Charlestown and others sent written testimony or spoke at the hearing. I am providing links here to that testimony: Governor Carcieri, Town of Charlestown, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and Lawrence Long Chairman, Conference of Western Attorneys General. Lawrence Long's testimony was presented at the hearing along with speakers representing tribal governments. A video of the hearing is also available.

Please ask Senator Pichardo to explain his efforts to strip your constituents of their constitutional right to vote and please counter his lobbying efforts to our Congressional delegation by making one of your own. The testimony that I have included above includes excellent arguments against overturning the Supreme Court ruling.

I believe that all Rhode Islanders should continue to have the right to deny or approve building a casino or the expansion of gambling in our state, and in their Town. I hope that you will speak to our Congressional delegation and counter any efforts of Senator Pichardo to strip us of our laws.

Your attention and reply to this matter would be very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Ruth L. Platner