WASHINGTON — Sen. Patty Murray has been presented with the National Congress of American Indians 2013 Congressional Leadership Award for her work in reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
“This is a huge victory not just for tribal women but also for tribal sovereignty. And I know that working together, we can make other big changes for all of you,” said Murray, D-Bothell, on Tuesday night at the group’s Indian Country Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C.
Murray was introduced by National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel and applauded by Washington state’s Tulalip Tribes Vice Chairwoman Deborah Parker, whose personal story of abuse while growing up on a reservation reportedly heavily influenced Murray’s efforts.
Parker and other tribal officials had lobbied hard for a new law in response to a 1978 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that tribes had no authority to try or punish non-Natives.
Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe who serves as treasurer of the executive committee of the National Congress of American Indians, had a prior commitment and regretfully was unable to attend, he said.
