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Timeline |
Previous Administrations |
Historical Photos |
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| 1934 |
On June 18, the IRA is passed. This signaled a major change in the United States' Indian policy. The IRA stopped the allotment system, provided for home rule government, provided an economic package, upgraded education, and generally improved the conditions on the reservation systems
On the Rosebud Reservation, the IRA divides the people into two factions regarding home rule government. These factions become known as the Old Dealers and the New Dealers. The Old Dealers were Traditional form of government. The New dealers were younger generation who accepted changes offered by the non Indians quickly.
While the rosebud sioux accepted the IRA programs, they were divided on the home rule type of government. The BIA advocated for a constitution similar to the United States Constitution and a community plan for organization of the people, instead of the preferred district plan. It held reservation wide hearings.
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| 1935 |
On November 23, the Sicangu hold a referendum and accepts the constitution and by-laws promoted by BIA and New Dealers by a narrow margin. The following month the constitution was formally adoped.
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| 1936 |
The Sicangu hold their first elections. Antoine Roubideaux is elected as the first tribal president, Homer Whirlwind Soldier,Sr. is elected as Vice-President and twenty council representiatives are elected.
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| 1941 |
World War II is declared on December 11 and many Sicangu go off to fight in the war. The total focus on war weakens the gains made by IRA. As a result of this the Sicangu sink deeper into poverty.
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| 1942 |
The Court of Claims acts on the 1923 Black Hills Claim by deciding that the 1920 Act did not authorize it to question the 1877 Black Hills Act as to whether it afforded just compensation. The court went on to say it was a moral claim, not covered by the just compensation clause and not authorized by jurisdictional law. The case was brought to the Supreme Court and was rejected.
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| 1946 |
Public pressure forces Congress to pass the Indian Claims Commission Act on August 13. The act make it possible to sue the government on moral as well as other issues.
The Indian Claims Commission Act was supposed to last for ten years or end by 1951. However, it survived into the 1970's under various changes.
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| 1950 |
The Lakota claims on the Black Hills is refiled. The Indian Claims Commission ruled that the Lakota are entitled to $17.5 million. The United States appealed this decision to the Court of claims(CC). The CC ruled that the Indian Claims Commission is barred by Res. Judicata. This meant that the case had already been decided by previous action.
On August 15, the original 74 Docket is filed to address the Lakota lands designated as the Unceded Indian country that was lost under the 1868 Treaty and under the 1887 Black Hills Act. Ralph Case was the attorney representing the Lakota.
On June 27, President Harry Truman orders naval action against North Korea and the Korean war is precipitated. Many Sicangu join the armed forces to fight against communist North Korea.
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| 1953 |
On August 1, the House Concurrent Resolution 108 (HCR), the termination bill, is passed. This cut off all federal services to some tribes but each tribe had to be handled individually. 13tribes, the first group demmed ready for termination, is terminated. This act proved unsuccessful as public pressure mounted against this policy.
On August 15, Public Law 280 (PL 280) is passed. This Law is a companion bill to HCR 108 that is designed to take over civil and criminal jurisdiction on the reservation systems. PL 280 extended this jurisdiction over five states with tribal populations under their systems.
States could assume jurisdiction by enacting legislation to incorporate tribal governments, having a public referendum, and by amending its constitution to extend criminal or civil jurisdiction or both. This is how the Rosebud Sioux Tribe came under state jurisdiction.
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| 1954 |
The original Docket 74 case is reviewed and dismissed.
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| 1956 |
The Docket 74 case is appealed. The Indian Claims Commission uphold the dismissal.
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| 1957 |
Ralph Case dies and the new Lakota lawyers, arthur Lazarus and Marvin Sonosky, file a motion to vacate the 1956 dicision. this was based on the alleged incompetent handling of this claim by Ralph Case.
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| 1958 |
The Court of claims agrees with lazarus and Sonosky and allow them to re-open the case.
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| 1960 |
The Black Hills Claim is divided into two parts, Docket 74A and Docket 74B. Docket 7A refers to the case involving 48 million acres regarded as the Unceded Indian Country under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851. Docket 74B refers to the litigation involving 7.3 million acres taken by the Black Hills Act of 1877, the taken lands recognized under the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty.
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| 1961 |
John F. Kennedy becomes president and he repudiates the terminaiton act and begins to assemble his programs to fight poverty actoss the country. He is assassinated and Lyndon Johnson takes over.
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| 1963 |
The Vietnam war begins and the United states commit ground troops to help South Vietnam fight against the North Vietnam. Many Sicangu go off to fight in this war.
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| 1964 |
The Office of Equal Opportunity Act is passed. This is the legislation that is often called the war on poverty programs or the Great Society. These programs came to the reservaiton systems with the concept of tribal self determination. The programs and funding were given directly to OEO offices set up on each reservation that accepted the programs. Both the tribal administration and the BIA were purposely left out, especially the BIA, to allow community action organizations to promote grass roots programs.
The OEO programs flourished unabated from 1964 to 1970. After 1970, the programs were cut in order to focus funding on the Vietnam War effort and other budgetary deficiencies.
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| 1966 |
The Nation Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is enacted. this act was one of the outcomes of Johnson's Great Society and war on poverty that relate to the need to boost the economy by identifying historic sites, to renovate these sites, to promote for tourism and to nominate such historic treasures to a national register so that they can be protected by federal law. Later on, this was amended to allow for Traditional Cultural Properties (TCP) to be protected under the same law, thus satisfying tribal concerns.
Later on, a St. Francis Mission Building, the old RST agency building, the old hotel, and Spotted Tail's grave were nominated and entered into the federal register as historic buildings and sites.
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| 1968 |
On April 11, the American Indian Civil Rights Act (AICRA) is passed. The goal of this statute is to grant tribal members an Indian Bill of Rights similar to the American Bill of Rights as interpreted in the constitution of the United States. This act also repealed PL 280 on many reservations.
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| 1969 |
The National Environmental Policy Act becomes law. This statute is enacted to remedy the polluted air, water and land caused by human development, over a long period of time. This empowered tribal people and environmental groups to be consulted by the federal government whenever federal projects or government funded projects were in danger of harming the environment on trust lands.
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| 1970- 1971 |
The rosebud Sioux constitution is amended to allow for at large elections regarding elections of the president and vice president.
Sinte Gleska Community College is chartered by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. In 1971, the college holds its first session with 156 students who registered in 16 classes. The instructors were all volunteers.
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| 1972 |
On June 23, the Indian Education Act (Title IV of the Higher Education Act) is passed. This allowed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act impact aid to expand and ensure that funds appropriated for tribal members be administered by Indian controlled schools.
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| 1973 |
The American Indian Movement (AIM) seizes the church at Wounded Knee to begin a sixty-seven day stand that highlights local and national treaty Indian grievances against the United States. This would have long range positive impacts on tribal identity.
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| 1974 |
The Lakota renew the Black Hills Claim before the Indian Claims Commission and win a preliminary decision of entitling the Lakota with $17.5 million for the taking of the Black Hills and an additional 5% interest because the United States Violated the 5th amendment rights of the Lakota.
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| 1975 |
On January 4, the Indian Self Determination and Educaiton Assistance Act is passed. This authorizes the BIA and HEW to allow the Indian tribes to contract these government services to outside entities with federal funds. The Sicangu uses 638 contracts, as amended, to contract health services, build new schools, secure tribal police services and other appropriate programs.
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| 1976 |
The Indian Claims Commission makes a judgement on the Docket 74A case. It determines that the Lakota people are entitled to $43,949,000.00 for the taking of the Unceded Indian Country by the federal government. The U.S. government promptly claims of $65 million for offset payments.
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| 1977 |
On April 4, the Supreme Court upholds the South Dakota's court decision to take jurisdiction of the lands lost by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe under the homestead of Gregory County Act of 1904, The Tripp County Act of 1907, the Mellette County Act of 1910.
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| 1978 |
On July 17, the Indian Claims Commission denies the offsets of $65 million as claimed by the federal government against the Lakota, thereby clearing the way for the Lakota to accept the Docket 74A udgment award of 1976.
The life of the Indian Claims Commission ends and all pending cases, including Docket 74A and 74B, are transferred to the trial division of the Court of Claims.
On August 11, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) is passed. This act sets up policy allowing the United States to protect and preserve for the American Indian their inherent right of freedom to believe, express, and exercise the traditional religions of the American Indians, including accession of sites, the use and possession of sacred traditional rites. Although this was a significant milestone, this act did not alway protection these rights.
The Indian Child Welfare Act is passed. This guarentees tribal role in adoption of indian children. This statute is controversial and has many errors that need to be adjusted or amended.
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| 1979 |
After suffering a series of setbacks, the Lakota final achieve success in the Black Hills case. The Court of claims upholds the 1974 decision on the judgment award of $17.5 million and 5% interest for the violation of the 5th Amendment rights of the Lakoat by the taking of the Black Hill by the United States. The United States immediately appeals to the Supreme Court.
The federal government makes an offer tro settle Docket 74A out of court for the amount of $39,749,700.00. The Lakota tribes refuse this offer. See 1984 date for the Sicangu of Rosebud's response.
The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) is enacted. This act provides protection for archaeological and TCP items, associated with these archaeological sites. Section 7 of ARPA mandates the notification of tribes of possible harm to or destruction of sites having religious or cultural significance. Moreover, the ARPA legislation stipulates that, in order to identify all Indian tribes having aboriginal or histroic ties to the lands under their jurisdiction.
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| 1980 |
On June 30, the Supreme Court upholds the Court of Claims decision. Althought the monetary award for docket 74B settlement was not enough, this is important that the Supreme Court recognized a taking of a piece of property without just compensation.
The Court of Claims reverses the Indian Claims Commission's decision of 1978, on Docket 74A, to deny the federal governemtn offset payments. The court ruled that the1868 treaty was a treaty of cession and not a treaty of peace and therefore the federal government was entitled to offsets.
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| 1982
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The federal government again offered to settle Docket 74A with the same monetary offer that it made in 1979. The Lakota refuse the offer.
The life of the Court of Claims ends. A new court called the Claims Court is authorized by Congress to replace the Court of Claims. Moreover, a new appeals court called the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Court is created. Thus all appeals from the new Court Claims court are new taken to the Federal Circuit.
On June 30, the Jesuits finalize transfer of St. Francis Indian School to the Sicangu Oyate HO (voice of the Brule) School Board. This board, an all Indian controlled school organization, was organized decades ago to take over the operation of St. Francis Mission. Thus, after 95 years of missionary control of St. Francis, the Jesuits make their exit.
The Black Hills Steering committee is formed to draft legislation to restore part of the Black Hills region and the Judgment award monies to the Lakota and lobby this bill through congress. This committee is made up of representatives from the eight Lakota-Dakota tribes involved in Docket 74B.
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| 1983 |
In January, the North Central Association of colleges and Schools grants full accreditation to Sinte Gleska College. The accreditation at associate and baccalaureate levels made Sinte Gleska College the first tribal college to receive accreditation at 4 year level.
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| 1984 |
On April 23, the Sicangu of Rosebud hold a referendum poll to settle Docket 74A out of court for the amount of $39,749,700.00. The Sicangu accepts this settlement by a narrow margin, The RST Council meets to consider the poll and rejects the results. The Rosebud sioux Tribe went on record to reject the monetary settlement offered by the United States Government.
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| 1985 |
On February 22, the Claims Court terminates Docket 74A and enters the federal government's offer of $39,749,700.00 to the tribes as the judgment award for the Lakota. The reason for terminating the case is because six of the eight tribes involved in Docket 74A reject the awards money to pursue a legislative remedy to settle the matter.
Senator Bill Bradley, a Democrat from New Jersey, introduces a bill to Congress. This bill returns 1.3 million acre of the Black Hills National Forest to the Lakota and compensation for the loss of the use of the Black Hills in the amount designated by the Court of Claims. Moreover, this monetary settlement amounting to the same judgment award by the 1980 Supreme Court is included.
The bill fails because some of the eight Lakota tribes in the case disagree on the 6 million acres that are given up to get 1.3 million acres of the Black Hills and moreover, more money is sought by some of the tribes.
The constitution and by-laws of the Rosebud Sioux tribe is amended. The amendment extends the terms of office for the elected officials from a two year to a four year term.
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| 1988 |
On January 11, the Rosebud Sioux Constitution and By-Law is amended again. This time the 20 community organization is dropped in favor of a eight district system with 11 representatives as reapportioned to each district.
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| 1989 |
The RST Constitution and By-Laws is amended to go back to a two year term for the RST tribal officers.
The Docket 74A judgment award accumulates to $40,245,807.02 and the Lakota tribes are requested to divide up this award, in June, so that the deadline on December 5, 1989 could be fulfilled. The tribes are allocated the award money for 48 million acres as follows:
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Cheyenne River |
12.23 % |
$4,022,062.00 |
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Crow Creek |
04.22% |
$1,698,373.00 |
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Flandreau |
01.27% |
$511,122.00 |
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Fort Peck |
05.75% |
$2,314,134.00 |
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Lower Brule |
02.27% |
$913,579.00 |
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Oglala |
29.88% |
$12,025,447.00 |
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Rosebud |
24.04% |
$9,675,092.00 |
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Santee |
05.11% |
$2,056,560.00 |
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Standing Rock |
15.23% |
$6,129,436.00 |
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The Lakota tribes allow the deadline to pass and now the shift is to a legislative remedy beacuse the Supreme Court refuses to hear the case.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe and other tribes, who refuse to accept the money have resolutions to pursue the return of the land and money for the loss of the use of the land taken. Two other tribes have accepted the money, but cannot proceed with it because the majority have rejected the money awards.
Federal district court rules in favor of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe over south Dakota, regarding state highway jurisdiction. Up to the time, under PL280, South Dakota patrolled and regulated the weighing stations on Highway 18 that runs through Rosebud Reservation. The tribe challenges this by taking the case to the Federal court and the court uphold the tribe's challenge.
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| 1990 |
On September 20, Matthew Martinez, Rep.D-Cal., introduces the Sioux Nation Reconstruction Trust Fund Act of 1990 or the Grey Eagle Bill to Congress. This bill contains the same amendments the Grey Eagle society members tried to place on the Bradley Bill. This bill addresses the loss of the 6 million acres and would have boosted the money compensation to $3.1 billion. Moveover, the worth of the Black Hills would be decided by a Blue Ribbon Panel.
.The Gray Eagle Bill is quickly shot down by the south Dakota congressional delegation and the supporters of the Bradley Bill.
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) becomes a statute. This act requires federal agencies and museum collections receiving federal funds to inventory their collections or holdings and reach agreements with Native American descendants regarding repatriation or dispostition of four classs of items: burial remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. When one of these classes are identified during surveys or construction activities, this law requires the developer or collector to consult with potentially affiliated tribes regarding the treatments and dispostiton of these items.
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| 1991 |
The RST Constitution and By-Laws is amended to drop the 8 district system and create a 13 district system with 20 representatives based on a new reapportionment policy.
Persian Gulf War begins when Congress authorizes use of force to remove Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, after the government of Kuwait asks for help. Many SICANGU go off to fight in the war.
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| 1992 |
Sinte Gleska College (SGC) is granted university status by the North Central Accreditation in a special traditional ceremony when SGC is changed to Sinte Gleska University. Simultaneously, the Board of Directors becomes the Board of Regents. Thus, Sinte Gleska University becomes the first tribally controlled higher learning institution to become a univeristy.
The RST Treaty Commission is created to address treaty issues. The Treaty Commission's name is changed to SICANGU Treaty Council, later on.
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| 1993 |
The RST NAGPRA consultation Group is created. This nine member group's sole purpose is to repatriate artifacts, funerary objects, human remains, and documents from archival and museum institutions.
Phil Stevens, with the help of Lakota attorneys formerly involved with the Grey Eagle Bill, put together a draft billcalled "The Black Hills Restoration Act of 1993" that outlined the following contents:
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The return of the unoccupied federal held lands in the Black Hills amounting to 1,327,00 acres back to the Lakota; |
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The payment of back rent on the 7.3 million acres of the Black Hills, taken under the 1887, would be charge at the rate of one cent per acre per month over the past 117 years at a compunded interest rate at approximately 2 % amounting to the judgment award already held in the U.S. Treasury; |
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The 6,000,000 acres would be given up for future rent based on what the federal government already funds annually and with annual adjustments based on the cost of living index. |
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| 1994 |
In June, the Black Hills Restoration Bill of 1993 is presented to the SICANGU Treaty Council to review and begin the process of getting all of the treaty groups and tribal councils together to move this bill to Congress for passage. Stevens, virtually opposed by nearly all of the tribal councils and treaty groups, reasoned that the best way to pass this bill would be to give it to a receptive treaty group and from there a summit could be called where all parties involved would make a decision to accept, amend, or reject the bill.
The goal was to accept the bill and move it to Congress. The Sicangu Treaty council held a series of meeting but failed get anything moving.
PL 102-575the Mini Wiconi Act Amendment to the 1988 PL 100-526 is passed. this amendment authorizes the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and the Rosebud Sioux tribe to enjoin with the Oglala sioux Tribe, Lyman-Jones and West Rural Water Supply System in creating a pipeline to the Missouri River for water supply. the Mini Wiconi Project will supply all of these entities with sanitized water from the Missouri to alleviate the heavy stress on underground water.
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| 1995 |
The Balkan War commences when Yugoslavia breaks apart and ethnic groups that are a part of this country battle for their independence. Many Sicangu go off to participate in the peace keeping efforts in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo conflicts.
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| 1997 |
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and the State of South Dakota Terrestrial Wildlife Mitigation Act of 1997 is passed. This Act is presently known as Title VI. This law will transfer U.S. Corps of Engineer and tribal lands along the Missouri River to the state and the two tribes cited above.
The Act opens up problems of treaty violations, cultural resources management, possession of way side parks and boating ramps, unity among the Oceti Sakowin membership, and a host of state and tribal jurisdictions.
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe went on record to oppose this act because the tribe stands to lose 1,200 acres of land in the flood zone of Lake Francis Case.
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| 2001 |
On 9/11, the twin towers are taken down and President Bush attacks the Taliban forces in Afghanistan, thus starting the Afghanistan war. Many Sicangu join the armed forces and go to fight the war.
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| 2003 |
Bush turns his war efforts toward Baghdad and begins the Iraqi war. Many Sicangu go off to fight in this war.
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| 2004 |
Lakota Women for change group successfully completes a petition drive to reform the Rosebud Sioux Tribe's Constitution and By-Laws. Subsequently, the tribal government authorizes a seven member Rosebud Sioux Constitutional Task force to begin the process of constitutional reform.
The RST Constitutional Task Force begins to hold hearings in the spring and concludes in July. The task force is in the process of reviewing 182 amendments and selecting the appropriate ones for Secretarial Election.
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| 2005 |
- 2009 Being Updated
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