06.13.14

Hoeven Statement on President Barack Obama's Visit to the Standing Rock Reservation

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s visit to North Dakota:

“By coming to Standing Rock, President Obama will get a better understanding of both the rich culture of native peoples and some of the challenges like crime and teen suicide that they face far too often on the reservation.

“To address one aspect of those challenges, we have introduced the bipartisan Native American Children’s Safety Act, legislation to implement rigorous minimum protections for Native American children placed by tribal courts into the tribal foster care system.

“The president should also take time during his visit to see firsthand how we are developing our energy resources in North Dakota, both on and off the reservation, and how the same approach could help us to grow our national economy and create jobs and opportunities for our people.”