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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Roseann R. Cadau |
State Rep. Louise
Williams Bishop |
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Bishop wants legal recognition for Native Americans in Pa. and state commission to study their rights
HARRISBURG, March 8 – State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Phila., has reintroduced her legislation that would provide formal state recognition to Native Americans in Pennsylvania. In addition, Bishop wants to establish a Commission on Native American Affairs to administer the state’s program of recognition.
The Philadelphia lawmaker is proposing legislation (H.B. 136) that would officially recognize Pennsylvania’s Native Americans and has again introduced a resolution (H.R. 37) that would create a special committee to study whether Native Americans are treated fairly across the state.
“The state of Pennsylvania has a rich history and culture, in part because of the work and heritage of Native Americans, and it is only fitting that we recognize their role in our Commonwealth's history,” Bishop said.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 2.1 million American Indians live in the United States and close to 17,000 of them reside in Pennsylvania.
Bishop’s legislation has received bipartisan support.
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