Tribe Returns $3 Million Grant Linked to Burns

[WhiteTara]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/06/AR2006040601764.html

A wealthy Indian tribe once represented by former lobbyist Jack Abramoff said yesterday that it has decided to return a $3 million federal school-construction grant it received as a result of pressure exerted on Interior Department officials by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.).

The Saginaw Chippewa tribe of Michigan sent a letter to congressional appropriations committees saying it will return the earmarked money and asked that it be sent to other tribes.

snip

Burns, who oversees the budget of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, pressed for the funding over the objections of Interior officials, who said that the money was intended to improve dilapidated tribal schools, not build new ones for wealthy tribes.

The Washington Post reported last year that Burns pushed Interior to reverse its decision that the tribe did not qualify for the funds, and when that failed, he earmarked the money in a 2004 appropriations bill.

"After careful consideration, our tribal council has decided not to move forward with the construction of the school, because it is not financially prudent to pursue this project at this time," tribal officials wrote in a letter yesterday to Burns and other lawmakers. They asked that Congress use the money to offset some of the cuts in the BIA's budget.

this is how integrity works.

[UpInArms]

1. I think that was a great move on the tribe's part - to distance themselves

from the tainted money of Abramoff and Burns.

:D

[maddezmom]

2. agree unlike Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo keeping Delay cash

Cubin not planning to give up DeLay-linked donations
By The Associated Press Saturday, April 08, 2006


CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) -- Rep. Barbara Cubin, R-Wyo., still has no plans to return or donate $22,250 she received from political action committees linked to Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, according to her chief of staff, Tom Wiblemo.

Cubin has said that DeLay's conviction -- not his indictment last year -- would be necessary for her to relinquish the funds.

"The only thing that's changed is that he's retiring," Wiblemo said Wednesday.

A grand jury indicted DeLay in September for allegedly breaking Texas' election laws. He stepped down as House majority leader and on Monday announced that he would not seek re-election.

more:http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/04/08/news/wyoming/ec9e42ec6610ca888725714800572c74.txt

[0007]

3. bttft

[NYC]

4. A noble gesture. That kind of honesty is very unexpected

these days.