"These jobs are especially important as cold weather moves into Iowa. There are nearly 1300 people who need money to help pay for heating bills and food for their families," Grassley said. "Now that the tribal leadership dispute has been resolved, it's time the casino return to its operating status."
Here's Grassley's letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission.
November 10, 2003
Philip Hogen, Chairman
National Indian Gaming Commission
1441 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Dear Chairman Hogen,
I am writing regarding the closure order issued by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) affecting the Meskwaki Casino in Tama County, Iowa. In issuing the closure order, your agency took the position that the tribal leadership dispute in the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa had effectively separated the tribal gaming operation from the leadership of the tribe as acknowledged by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the purpose of the government-to-government relationship with the federal government. Therefore, the NIGC determined that the operation of the casino was not in compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. As you may know, the results of the tribe's general election on October 21, 2003 and a special election on November 4, 2003, as acknowledged by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, has now resulted in a functioning Tribal Council duly elected by the tribe and able to oversee the tribe's gaming operation. Enclosed please find a copy of the letter from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the newly elected Meskwaki Tribal Council acknowledging the results of the recent elections.
I know that the tribe is anxious to reopen the casino as soon as possible and has set a goal of having the casino up and running by Thanksgiving. This situation has already dragged on far too long, leaving almost 1300 Iowans out of work. As I am sure you can appreciate, the closure of the casino has had a devastating impact on the lives of many Iowans in the area. I urge you to do everything in your power to complete the necessary steps to lift the closure order on the casino as soon as possible so that the casino employees can resume work in time for the holidays.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator