WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Larry Kissell (NC-08) welcomed Chairman Paul Brooks of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to his office in Washington, this week.  Kissell met with Brooks, Tribal Veterans Service Officer Larry Townsend, and Ed Brooks, Lumbee legal counsel, to discuss Kissell’s ongoing support of legislative efforts to grant full federal recognition to the tribe.

“I’m always honored to meet with Chairman Brooks and further our discussion of all of the ongoing efforts of the Lumbee people,” said Kissell. “When I first arrived in Congress, one of my first actions in office was to sign on to Rep. McIntyre’s legislation granting full federal recognition of the tribe. I will continue to support the efforts of the Lumbee people, and will do all I can in Congress to bring the Lumbee Recognition Act to the floor for a vote.”

The Lumbee Tribe has been recognized by the state of North Carolina since 1885, and it now seeking to be named an officially recognized tribe by the federal government. The Lumbee Recognition Act was reintroduced in January 2011, and currently has 133 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.

“It’s clear that Congressman Kissell is dedicated to doing all he can to help us secure this recognition,” said Ed Brooks. “We had a very productive meeting with Congressman Kissell, and we agree that federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe is long overdue.”

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Photo Attached: Rep. Larry Kissell speaks with Paul Brooks, Tribal Chairman of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, during Brooks' visit to Washington.