Minnesota Legislature
SF 1623
as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:22am
KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
1.1A resolution
1.2memorializing the President and Congress to repeal the federal legislation of 1863
1.3ordering the removal of Dakota people from Minnesota and the Dakotas.
1.4WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the events of 1862 - the delay of United States treaty
1.5payments to the Dakota, the refusal of white traders to sell to them, the resulting starvation on the
1.6reservation, and the ensuing Dakota Conflict - white sentiment against Indian people was at its
1.7height, and many were pressing for the execution of 303 Dakota and mixed-blood men; and
1.8WHEREAS, fearing that there would be further violence if he did not act, and to appease
1.9public feeling, Abraham Lincoln cooperated with the efforts of Congress to remove Indian people
1.10unilaterally, without even the semblance of agreement by treaty, by signing "An Act for the
1.11Removal of the Sisseton, Wahpaton, Medawakanton, and Wahpakoota Bands of Sioux or Dakota
1.12Indians, and for the Disposition of their Lands in Minnesota and Dakota," an action which
1.13ultimately ignited the Plains Indian Wars and brought 30 more years of conflict; and
1.14WHEREAS, the act remains in federal law to this day, despite the fact that its terms are
1.15obsolete and its presence is a continuing offense; NOW, THEREFORE,
1.16BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it urges the Congress
1.17of the United States to repeal United States Statutes at Large, volume 12, page 819, chapter
1.18119, and pages 803-804, chapter 103.
1.19BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
1.20directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States,
1.21the President and the Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United
1.22States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.
1.2memorializing the President and Congress to repeal the federal legislation of 1863
1.3ordering the removal of Dakota people from Minnesota and the Dakotas.
1.4WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the events of 1862 - the delay of United States treaty
1.5payments to the Dakota, the refusal of white traders to sell to them, the resulting starvation on the
1.6reservation, and the ensuing Dakota Conflict - white sentiment against Indian people was at its
1.7height, and many were pressing for the execution of 303 Dakota and mixed-blood men; and
1.8WHEREAS, fearing that there would be further violence if he did not act, and to appease
1.9public feeling, Abraham Lincoln cooperated with the efforts of Congress to remove Indian people
1.10unilaterally, without even the semblance of agreement by treaty, by signing "An Act for the
1.11Removal of the Sisseton, Wahpaton, Medawakanton, and Wahpakoota Bands of Sioux or Dakota
1.12Indians, and for the Disposition of their Lands in Minnesota and Dakota," an action which
1.13ultimately ignited the Plains Indian Wars and brought 30 more years of conflict; and
1.14WHEREAS, the act remains in federal law to this day, despite the fact that its terms are
1.15obsolete and its presence is a continuing offense; NOW, THEREFORE,
1.16BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it urges the Congress
1.17of the United States to repeal United States Statutes at Large, volume 12, page 819, chapter
1.18119, and pages 803-804, chapter 103.
1.19BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
1.20directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States,
1.21the President and the Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United
1.22States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.