HRES217APR20

When the Dalles Dam was completed on March 10, 1957 Celilo was submerged in six hours. The way of life of the tribes was changed although some still live and fish along the river and are covered by treaty rights.

The resolution recognizes the fiftieth anniversary of the flooding and the change imposed on the tribes.

Sponsor: Rep. David Wu (D-OR-1^st)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote April 17, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

Earmark Certification: Not applicable to this resolution.

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Whereas Celilo Falls, located near The Dalles, Oregon, was a great fishing and trading location for Indian tribes and has been called the `Wall Street of the West' by historians;

Whereas artifacts suggest tribes as far as Alaska, the Great Plains and the Southwest United States came to trade and fish at Celilo for over 10,000 years;

Whereas the Umatilla, Nez Perce, Yakama and Warm Springs tribes reserved their fishing rights at their usual and accustomed places, including Celilo, when they signed treaties with the United States;

Whereas on March 10, 1957, to provide hydroelectricity and irrigation, The Dalles Dam was constructed;

Whereas the completion of the dam inundated Celilo in six hours, quickly changing the way of life for tribes that fished at Celilo; and

Whereas tribes still live and fish along the river, exercising their treaty rights agreed with the Congress of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the 50th anniversary of the flooding of Celilo Falls and the change of life it imposed upon tribal peoples.

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