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OCR Page 1 of 81+ 98 12:11PM NAT.
P.2/2
George V. Vninovich
Raymond i, Scheppach
ORS'
Governor at Ohio
Executive Director
Chairman
SION
Hall of the Male.
Thomas R. Carper
444 North Capitol Street
Governor of Delaware
Washington, D.C. 20001-1512
Vice Chairman
Telephone (202) 624-5300
April 23, 1998
The Honorable Bruce Babbitt
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
Dear Secretary Babbitt:
We are writing to you regarding the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and the recently signed
compact between the State of California and the Pala Band of Mission Indians, which was formally
submitted to you on March 12.
While each of us reserves the right to negotiate our own compacts, we are encouraged by the Pala
Band Compact and would request that you approve it. The compact reflects our strong belief that
states should be allowed to negotiate a compact that takes into account the sovereign rights of both the
tribe and the state. This critical balance is necessary as the gaming activities conducted under IGRA
on tribal lands are felt well beyond the boundaries of the reservation and affect all the citizens of the
state. Approval of this California-specific compact will send a strong message to all states that they
will be permitted to voluntarily reach agreements with sovereign tribes for the purposes of protecting
the rights of their citizens, and will thus encourage other states to enter compacts with tribes.
Another encouraging aspect related to this compact is that it led the Department of Justice to commit
to undertake enforcement action in California against illegal tribal gaming operations. The NGA has
long sought enforcement action in all states where illegal Class III gaming operations are being
conducted. Governors believe the integrity of the IGRA compacting mechanism is linked directly to
the willingness of law enforcement to enforce the law. Disapproval of the Pala compact will greatly
complicate the process of bringing tribes, which are enjoined from continuing their current,
uncompacted operations, into compliance with the law.
For these reasons, we urge your immediate consideration and approval of the Pala Band Compact.
Goy Romer Sincerely, Governor Roy Romer factor Governor Lawton Chiles Chiles
Boh Miller
overnor John En
Governor Bob Miller
Governor Edward T. Schafer schafer