The Supreme Court ruling in favor of Charlestown last month to block the Narragansetts from building a casino was a win. BUT we are facing another battle!! The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing April 1. The hearing was to discuss the tribes' demand that Congress amend the law to undo the Supreme Court decision. If that happens, the Narragansetts can build a casino here.
The Casino companies are lobbying hard, you need a voice too. Send a message to Washington -- don't let them take away your right to vote on a casino.
The following three speakers spoke at the hearing as witnesses: Michael J. Anderson, Colette Routel, and Donald Craig Mitchell.
You can read transcripts from that hearing below as pdf files or watch the video.
Committee Chairman Nick Rahall's opening statement
Testimony of Mr. Donald Craig Mitchell, Esq.
Testimony of Mr. Michael J. Anderson
Testimony of Ms. Colette Routel
View the archived video click on the ">" button to start the video
What can you do? It's simple.
1. Copy the letter CCA has written below or compose your own.
2. Click on the email address link to your congressmen and chairmen of the committee.
3. Paste the letter into the email. Do it for ALL of them.
Rep. Jim Langevin - http://langevin.house.gov/comments.shtml (202) 225-2735
Rep. Patrick Kennedy http://www.house.gov/formpatrickkennedy/IMA/issue.htm
((202) 225-4911
Sen. Jack Reed - http://reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm (202) 224-4642
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse - http://whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/ (202) 224-2921
Rep. Nick Rahall - nrahall@mail.house.gov
Sen. Byron Dorgan senator@dorgan.senate.gov (202) 224-2551
Sen. John Barrasso http://barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm (202) 224-1724
Don't want to send an email, call them!!! Tell them you do NOT want the law amended.
Sample Letter to Your Congressmen
As you know, the United States Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the State and Town of Charlestown in the case of Carcieri v. Salazar. That decision blocks the Interior Department from taking 31 acres of land into trust for the Narragansett Indian Tribe in the Town of Charlestown, where I reside.
On April 1st, 2009 the House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing. The national Indian lobby and the Interior Department are requesting that Congress pass legislation to overturn the recent Supreme Court decision that favored the state of Rhode Island. I am totally opposed to overturning the Supreme Court ruling and ask for your help.
Since 1980, the Rhode Island voters have overwhelming rejected creating a casino in our State. The Narragansett Tribe has made no secret that they will build a major casino if given the option of taking land into trust. The Town of Charlestown does not have the infrastructure to support the massive hotel and casino traffic that would accompany gambling in Charlestown. Our town lacks the roads, sewer system, and water supply to support the type of gambling structure that would be built here. Our citizens recognize the fragile ecosystems we have. We are a small community of 8,000 residents that relies on septic and well systems both at the seaside and near our fresh water and salt ponds. The fragile ecosystems in Charlestown will be severely damaged and possibly destroyed if a casino were built in Charlestown. In addition, it will adversely affect the quality of life in this small town forever.
I believe it is vital that you and other members of the Rhode Island congressional delegation work with your colleagues from other affected states to preserve and protect the Supreme Court’s ruling. The State and Town have never been subject to a stripping of our laws and jurisdiction. The Tribe’s settlement lands are fully subject to State law and Town ordinance – all other land acquired by the Tribe must also be subject to our laws. 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 work to prevent any policy by the Department of Interior that rescinds our citizen rights.
Your prompt attention and reply to this matter would be most appreciated.
Thank you for your continued opposition to the expansion of gambling in Rhode Island, as well as in environmentally sensitive locations in South County.
Sincerely,
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For more on the U.S. Supreme Court case we have collected news reports and documents. Or visit our issues page on a casino in Charlestown. We have news updates from around the country on this issue at our daily news page.
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