Photo courtesy of tribal council
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ADDRESSES THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE DINNER GUESTS, INCLUDING PUYALLUP TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF.
On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Tribal Council members and staff rubbed elbows with some of the country’s top decision makers.
From June 17-19, Tribal Council Chairman Herman Dillon, council members David Bean and James Miles, and tribal staff Peter Mills and Michael Bowechop met with congressional leaders for the state, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and even dined with President Barack Obama.
“Most importantly it was a networking opportunity to communicate on a more intimate level with members of congress, rather than in their offices on a more formal level,” said David Bean.
Tribal representatives were able to discuss the financial needs of the Tribe, and also remind congress members of what the Tribe has done for itself as well as the local community, such as supplementing monies traditionally supplied by the federal government for the health authority and school, as well as the Tribe’s collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions.
“We wanted to remind them that when they support us, they are not just supporting the Tribe, they’re also supporting the surrounding communities,” David Bean said. “Remind them of their trust responsibility, and encourage them to step up to the plate when it comes to funding.”
Over the past year, tribal representatives have made a handful of trips to the nation’s capitol to lobby for additional funding for housing, economic development and government infrastructure.
So far, the Tribe has been successful and received $800,000 in housing monies, $1.4 million in road improvement and more than $3 million in stimulus money.
During their most recent visit, the tribal ambassadors were able to see progress on approval for $400,000 designated for equipment at the Tribe’s Jail and Justice center.
James Miles noted that money was approved by the House during the last visit, and the Tribe is now lobbying the Senate for approval.
He noted they also continued lobbying for $6 million to complete the auditorium and athletic field at Chief Leschi, as well as advocating for funding of a social services building.
“Our Tribe has utilized this means (lobbying the federal government) for a long time,” James Miles said. “We’re able to get our issues in on the front line for the president and congress.
“What we have today is due to the success of the prior council members lobbying for the Tribe… I’m happy to have the opportunity to keep that going.”
