Scanned: Case Number 072256

JUL. 18 93 (MON) 13:00 TUNICA BILOXI TRIBEN - TEL:1-318-253-9791 0 78256 P.002 PL-NATIVE AMERICANS/TAXES IN CHAIRMAN EARL J. BARBRY, SR. TUNICA-BILOXI VICE CHAIRMAN INDIANS OF Louisiana DANIEL K. BARBRY, SR. SECRETARY-TREASURER CEMONIA WILLIAMS COUNCIL MEMBERS EARBY STROTHER July 18, 1994 ROBERT JOHNSON BRENT BARBRY MARSHALL PIERITE The Honorable William J. Clinton M 363 President of the United States The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Clinton: It has come to my attention that a 2% tax on gross revenues from Indian Gaming is being proposed as a partial solution of the $14 billion in lost tariff revenues that are expected as a result of the recent General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT). I wish to voice and make known my utter disapproval of this action. In April of this year, I attended your meeting along with other tribal leaders. I was very impressed by what you had to say, however, this latest action is clearly not in keeping with your promises of that day. Further, the imposition of this tax is a violation of tribal sovereignty and is contrary to the stand the Federal courts have taken inasmuch as they have long upheld that tribes and their income are tax exempt. A question that bothers me greatly and begs for an answer is - why is this tax proposed for Indian Gaming only? Indians are only one-half of 1% of the entire population, and Indian Gaming comprises only 5% of the entire US gaming industry. To target the smallest minority and to fund GATT on the backs of the smallest and poorest minority is WRONGI This proposal reeks of a violation of civil rights and is discriminatory in nature. I would hope that the impropriety of this proposed tax is recognized and that the whole matter is reconsidered. I will be contacting the appropriate people to make known my disapproval. Thank you for your time, and, should you wish to contact me, I may be reached at the address or telephone number listed below. Sincerely, Earl J. Barbry, Sr. Chairman