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Mr. Faleomavaega. Thank you, Mr. Harp. 



A couple of observations, and I will then ask a couple more ques- 

 tions to the members of the panel. 



One of the things that I've noted over the years is that some- 

 times, perhaps with sincere and good intentions, several tribal or- 

 ganizations hire consultant firms here in Washington to represent 

 their interests. 



But one of the things that I would certainly like to convey and 

 to express this interest to the tribes is that whenever you're here 

 in Washington, please make every effort to see the members them- 

 selves. 



Sometimes I think our tribal members think that only the con- 

 sultant firms are the only ones that can see the members. 



There's nothing sacred about you not having to come and visit us 

 directly. Because this lobbying game that goes on sometimes, in my 

 humble opinion, gets lost in the quagmire of seeing that sometimes 

 the information, or you don't really see the members themselves, 

 and the message just doesn't come across. 



So I would Tike to encourage and pass the word out to Indian 

 country, when you are here in Washington, please make every ef- 

 fort to visit the member delegations of your states, or even the 

 members of the given subcommittees, whether it be in the Senate 

 or on the House side. 



Visit with them directly. Talk to them. 



That's why we're here. 



And I would like to give that alert to all the tribal organizations, 

 especially for the tribsQ leaders when they do come to Washington. 

 Please make it, if you're working through our consultant firms or 

 whatever organizations that do it, make sure that you require that 

 they make appointments for you, and have you come visit with us 

 directly. Tell us what your problems are. 



I never see many of our tribal fi:iends who come fi"om the various 

 states, and I wonder why. 



And it seems that the only chance that I get to visit — and I'm 

 sure this is true with other members — is when we have hearings. 

 Then right after the hearing, everybody disappears. 



And I would like to make that note to encourage as many of our 

 Native American leaders to come and visit with the members di- 

 rectly. Make appointments with us. Tell us what your problems 

 are. 



Now I'm sure that there may be some sense of hesitation about 

 not being able to speak proper English. 



I'm still learning the Enghsh language. My mom, to her dying 

 day, could hardly speak English. But English is only a tool. And 

 if you need to have a translator, then get yourself a translator, and 

 make it known what your wishes are. 



This is one of the problems. Our whole educational system and 

 the theories and the problems that affect Native Americans is the 

 same thing that happened to us. 



We don't have a Bureau of Indian Affairs, but we have what I 

 call an isolated Bureau of Indian Affairs, and we have the same 

 problems that you are confronted with. 



And I don't mean to say this in a derogatory way, meanmg that 

 those people downtown are evil. But sometimes with the best and 



