Trail Of Tears Expansion Study Wins Approval
November 13, 2006

The U.S. House has agreed to final passage of H.R. 3085, the Trail of Tears Study Act, sending it to the President to sign into law.

The bill, authored by Congressman Zach Wamp, directs the Department of Interior to complete the criteria necessary to move forward in expanding the current Trail of Tears to include additional routes used when the Cherokee were forced out of their ancestral homelands.

The Trail of Tears Study Act "is necessary because the human side of the Cherokee removal still must be told," Rep. Wamp said.

He said, "Our greatness as a nation is our ability to look at our own history objectively and in proper perspective. We must be mindful of our errors so that we do not repeat them."

When the original Trail was designated, two main arteries - the Benge and Bell routes - were missing, as well as many water routes and emigration depots. The additional components, sought by H.R. 3085 would allow all Americans to see where the original Cherokee villages lay and will enhance public understanding of that important piece of American history.

Cherokee Nations Chief Chad Smith said, "I congratulate Congressman Wamp and applaud his work on the Trail of Tears bill. This bill and the Cherokee Nation Trail of Tears project forever makes us diligent and wary of the power wielded by great nations. It reminds us that the United States government must not repeat the mistakes it made in the past, it must honor its word, and it must forever remember the inspiring story of Cherokee spirit. It reminds us of our obligations and duties and of our potentials and opportunities in the covenants of our treaties. It reminds us that at stake is the integrity of the United States of America, its word. As Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black once said, 'Great nations, like great men, should keep their word.'"

"Through this legislation," Rep. Wamp said, "we will honor the historic footsteps taken by the Cherokee, document their courage, and highlight their character as a great tribe of strong people."