Senate approves apology to American Indians for history of violence against tribes

September 22nd, 2009 Feds delay Mont. tribe's recognition requestBILLINGS, Mont.

August 26th, 2009 Conn. tribes to pay $25M to state for slots useHARTFORD, Conn. — Officials say two American Indian tribes will pay the state of Connecticut $25 million in slot revenues to compensate for promotions that allowed gamblers to use slots for free.

August 20th, 2009 Colombia's senate approves Uribe re-election billBOGOTA — Colombia's Senate voted late Wednesday to pass a bill calling for a referendum on whether to change the constitution to allow President Alvaro Uribe to run for a third term. The measure, which is to be voted on by the lower House next week, was approved 56-2 by senators after deputies from two opposition parties left the 102-member chamber.

June 18th, 2009 Senate passes apology for slavery, segregationWASHINGTON — The Senate has unanimously passed a resolution apologizing for slavery and racial segregation and sent the measure to the House. Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin first introduced the measure years ago but wanted it passed Thursday on the eve of Juneteenth - a day of celebration commemorating the end of the Civil War and the release of African Americans from slavery.

June 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US Senate offered a formal apology for slavery Thursday, five months after Barack Obama became the country's first African-American president. The Senate's non-binding resolution "acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery" in the past US history.

June 16th, 2009 AP Interview: Sebelius to boost Indian health careWASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius acknowledged on Tuesday that government health care for American Indians has been a "historic failure" for more than a century and pledged to launch an extended effort to improve it. Sebelius told The Associated Press that she will begin a multiyear effort to better the troubled Indian Health Service and will challenge Congress to make the back-burner issue a priority.

June 15th, 2009 Obama appoints American Indian adviserWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will have an American Indian adviser in the White House to counsel him on tribal issues, a new post he promised while campaigning on Indian reservations last year. Obama on Monday appointed Kimberly Teehee as a senior policy adviser for Native American affairs, saying she will provide "a direct interface at the highest level" of his administration and will ensure a voice for American Indians as policy decisions are made.

June 6th, 2009 NM panel votes to protect Mount TaylorALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The cultural and natural resources of New Mexico's Mount Taylor will now be protected by the state, ending a yearlong battle between American Indians and landowners all concerned about preserving their rights to use the mountain without interference.

June 4th, 2009 House passes bills to recognize seven tribesWASHINGTON — Seven Indian tribes in North Carolina and Virginia would be federally recognized under legislation passed by the House on Wednesday, but they would not be allowed to build casinos. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and six Virginia tribes would be eligible for up to $800 million in federal funds for housing, education and health benefits under two bills passed by the chamber.

June 3rd, 2009 House passes bills to recognize 7 tribesWASHINGTON — Seven Indian tribes in North Carolina and Virginia would be federally recognized under legislation passed by the House on Wednesday, but they would not be allowed to build casinos. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and six Virginia tribes would be eligible for up to $800 million in federal funds for housing, education and health benefits under two bills passed by the chamber.

June 3rd, 2009 7 tribes seeking federal recognitionWASHINGTON — Seven Indian tribes in North Carolina and Virginia are again asking Congress to grant them federal recognition. The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and six Virginia tribes would be eligible for hundreds of millions of tax dollars in housing, education and health benefits under two bills the House is expected to consider Wednesday.

May 13th, 2009 Senate panel approves FDA nomineeWASHINGTON — A Senate panel has approved President Barack Obama's nominee to head the troubled Food and Drug Administration. The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved Dr.

May 8th, 2009 Senate approves Seattle police chief as drug czarWASHINGTON — The Senate has approved the nomination of Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske as the national drug czar. Kerlikowske, a 36-year law enforcement veteran, has said he will take a balanced, science-based approach to the job of director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

April 25th, 2009 Interior secretary announces $500M for tribesBISMARCK, N.D. — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says $500 million in federal stimulus money will go to American Indian tribes across the U.S.

February 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives Friday approved the $787 billion stimulus package, an unprecedented attempt by the American government to aid the country's economy. The package was approved by a vote of 246- 83 but with no Republican support.