THE NAVAJO COUNCIL CONTINUES TO DEBATE 91-14 WHICH WOULD NULLIFY AND RESCIND RESOURCES & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE’S LEGISLATION THAT CREATED URANIUM SUBCOMMITTEE.

DELEGATE DUANE TSINIGINE
this cud be sister to transportation of hazardous waste law. if in-situ uranium mining occurs how would URI respect the transportation law? and what happens if another “mess” is left? how would we explain that to people.
my uncle, who was ranch hand and superman, carries around oxygen tank. i see my aunts and sisters and brothers with red cheeks and that is not part of navajo harmony.
i kow this is sensitive issue cuz becomes federal issue for uranium mining cleanup and any land swaps.
and i’m giving my time to Delegate Tsosie even though i know he will speak in opposition of 91-14.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
no decision has been made. attorney general opinion done without question and unknown to me. the attorney general and navajo EPA came together in back room and created biased opinion.
there is opportunity to safeguard crownpoint people and relocate church rock people.
how are we pitting navajo pple against each other. but no one is speaking for church rock chapter. they are all alone.

DELEGATE DANNY SIMPSON
reading local news story, URI CEO Christopher Jones said that Navajo Nation approved unrestricted access to its properties to extract uranium, transport uranium, and make money from uranium.
delegate tsosie said they were just negotiating but Jones was quoted by Gallup Independent.
I have resolutions from Eastern Navajo Land Commission, chapters, organizations and individuals opposing RDC Subcommittee legislation.
i have asked delegate tsosie to bring RDC subcommittee legislation to council because RDC has no authority to waive uranium ban and transportation of hazardous waste over navajo land.

DELEGATE ALTON SHEPHERD
Although years ago there was right of ways and deeds of land on how this section of land used and given to URI, it takes away revenues from navajo people. it is true that we for many years allowed uranium mining and our people had jobs and income for family even though it impacted our navajo people so whatever legislation comes before us is still our responsibility to make decision. it is important. it may be difficult decision but we must follow laws for the safety of our people. and there will be questions surrounding this issue.
although Law and Order Committee may not have complete oversight over natural resources, it was presented to L&O for education as part of Council decision.
and we have to keep in mind the voices of our people.
i know that we all may have relatives living in those regions affected by these issues. i think it is important we have healthy discussions.

DELEGATE JONATHAN NEZ
it is time to call for a vote and so i’ll call for the question. (It’s now 4:22 p.m.)

SPEAKER PRO TEMP BATES
we have delegates still wanting to speak and so you have to make motion to cease debate.

DELEGATE NEZ CALLS FOR CEASE DEBATE ON 91-14
Second by Delegate Joshua lavar Butler.

SPEAKER PRO TEMP BATES SAY THAT So far it’s 21 DELEGATES against URI.

THE VOTE TO CEASE DEBATE ON 91-14 IS 14 in favor, 6 opposed