FILED SENATE
Jun 21, 2021
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
S.R. 727
SESSION 2021 PRINCIPAL CLERK
S D
SENATE SIMPLE RESOLUTION DRSR45437-LG-171
Sponsors: Senators Britt, Harrington, and McInnis (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to:
1 A SENATE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LUMBEE RECOGNITION ACT, WHICH
2 EXTENDS FULL FEDERAL RECOGNITION TO THE LUMBEE TRIBE OF NORTH
3 CAROLINA.
4 Whereas, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, consisting of about 55,000 members,
5 residing primarily in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties, is the largest Indian
6 tribe in North Carolina; and
7 Whereas, the State of North Carolina has recognized the Lumbee as an Indian tribe
8 since 1885; and
9 Whereas, the Lumbee Tribe has fought to gain federal recognition for more than a
10 century, beginning in 1888, when the Tribe petitioned Congress for recognition and assistance
11 but was denied; and
12 Whereas, since that time, numerous bills have been introduced to recognize the
13 Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina; and
14 Whereas, in 1956, Congress passed the Lumbee Act, which recognized the Lumbee
15 as Indians but withheld the full benefits of federal recognition given to other tribes; and
16 Whereas, on April 22, 2021, Congressmen G. K. Butterfield, Dan Bishop, David
17 Price, and Richard Hudson introduced the Lumbee Recognition Act, which extends full federal
18 recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and makes its members eligible for the same
19 services and benefits provided to members of other federally recognized tribes. An identical bill
20 was passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020. Senator Richard Burr
21 also introduced similar legislation on April 27, 2021; and
22 Whereas, the Lumbee Indians deserve to have full federal recognition of their status
23 as an Indian tribe and that the benefits, privileges, and immunities that accompany such status
24 should be accorded to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina; and
25 Whereas, the State of North Carolina urges Congress to support legislation extending
26 full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina; Now, therefore,
27 Be it resolved by the Senate:
28 SECTION 1. The Senate expresses support of the passage of The Lumbee
29 Recognition Act or similar legislation and urges Congress to enact such legislation.
30 SECTION 2. The Principal Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the
31 members of North Carolina's congressional delegation.
32 SECTION 3. This resolution is effective upon adoption.
*DRSR45437-LG-171*