Resolution 475

RE:		REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ACTION BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO RESOLVE THE ONEIDA INDIAN NATIONS' LAND CLAIM

WHEREAS,		The three Oneida Indian Tribes or Nations together with the Unites States Government as an intervenor have filed a proposed Amended Complaint in the 1974 Land Claim Action, which action presently involves as defendants just the counties of Oneida and Madison; and

WHEREAS,		None of the citizens or property owners of Oneida County, nor any of this county's municipalities, nor the county itself, was in any way party to alleged violations of treaties or the Federal No-Intercourse Acts which are the basis of the Oneida Indian Nations' land claim case; and

WHEREAS,		The State of New York has fundamental responsibility to protect its citizens, taxpayers, property owners, businesses, municipalities and school districts, and the institutions by which its citizens order their lives, all of which in Oneida and Madison counties have been put at dire risk and jeopardy because of the proposed Amended Complaint by the Oneida Indian Nation and the Unites States Government; and

WHEREAS,		The State of New York has been rightfully charged with negotiating a settlement to this case; now; therefore, be it

RESOLVED,		That the Oneida County Board of Legislators calls on the State of New York to immediately pledge to indemnify and hold harmless the citizens, taxpayers, businesses, property owners, municipalities and school districts of Oneida County from any and all claims or other untoward results or consequences associated with the land claims case; and be it further

RESOLVED,		That the Oneida County Board of Legislators calls for the State of New York to immediately provide reimbursement for real estate and other taxes and fees not paid or not being paid by the Oneida Indian Nation; and be it further

RESOLVED,		That the Oneida County Board of Legislators calls on the State of New York immediately to take swift, thorough and decisive action to defend the interests of the County and its proposed citizen defendants, and further, immediately to take all reasonable steps to resolve with finality the claims of the Nation, in a manner protective of and beneficial to the citizens of Oneida County; and be it further

RESOLVED,		that copies of this resolution be immediately conveyed to Governor George Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Assembly Majority Leader Sheldon Silver, Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffman, Senator Raymond A. Meier, Assemblyman David Townsend, Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, and Assemblyman William McGee.

		Approved: Ways and Means Committee (12/16/98)
		v.v.
		ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE

		AYES 27 NAYS 0

		DATED: December 16, 1998

INTRODUCTORY		F.N. 98-512 (3)
NO. 475


ONEIDA COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS

RESOLUTION NO. 475


INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Angell, Mr. Ankrum, Mr. Kennett, Mr. Wood, Mr. Townsend, Mr. Smith, Mr. Porter, Mr. Morris, Mr. Julian, Mr. Fiorini, and Mr. Hertline, Messrs. Tallarino, Pianella, Collins, Lawrence, Pascucci, Goodman, Damsky, D’Onofrio, Revere, Mrs. Mandryck, Messrs. Burns, Kelly, Migliaccio, Paparella, Hendricks, Gigliotti, Mannella, Mrs. Anken
2ND BY: Mr. Smith