Victimized at high and sometimes alarming rates. Kpleks complex jurisdictional patterns still too often hamper investigations and impede justice and resources remain scarce. Report by the tribal law and Order Commission noted the need for almost 3,000 tribal Law Enforcement officers, a 50 staffing shortfall. Thats why the resources requested in the president s budget are vital. Excluding funding for prisons, the budget allocates almost 300 million for Public Safety activities in Indian Country. This level of funding would be historic and it would allow us to build on our progress and make in roads into solving the enduring and intractable problems faced by our tribal partners. For one thing, the budget would take a page from ctask to dedicate specific funding to tribal specific initiatives. A flexible tribal grant 7 set aside for programs for my office would give tribes reliable access to 111 million in grant resources. This would remove some of the unpredictability and anxiety around
So we remember and we honor their service. There are real risks involved in being a diplomat. There always have been, and many of those risks are accentuated today. I know that service can mean sacrifice for families as well. Some of you serve at unaccompanied posts, which means that you are separated from your loved ones. When families deploy and spouses and children serve in their own way, we know that they dont always hear directly from the president. So i need to you transmit to them how much we appreciate the work that they do. Let them know that we know they are part of the ambassadorial team as well. More broadly, i want to thank you for your partnership in what has been a priority for us. And that is renewing american leadership. I believe that a Broader Vision of american strength that harnesses all elements of our national power, including diploma diplomacy, is what is going to make a difference in this complicated age that we live in. Thats how we build a Global Coalition to
Congress of American Indians for supporting both the Indian Energy and the irrigation bills through their resolutions passed last october so thank you for getting that done. These measures are small but important pieces to several tribal economies and i dont plan to stop at this point. I intend to continue the conversation with Indian Country on Economic Development issues throughout this entire congress. Today we heard many examples of how tribes are engines of Economic Growth and innovative governments. While we triumph in Indian Country, innovation and progress, we cannot forget those that still need attention and help. President Franklin Delano roosevelt once said, quote the test of progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, its whether we provide enough to those who have little. [applause] i cannot think of any more deserving of our attention than the most vulnerable indian children. Indian country innovation and input will be critical in reversin
Opportunities and acknowledge that tribes have the capability of governments to oversee our own affairs. As we reach out to the federal government as a true partner we must continue to insist that the United States honors its trust responsibility to native peoples. Honoring its trust responsibilities means recognizing Indian Countrys Legal Authority to control its own destiny. It means respecting native peoples for who we are, not who others think we are. And it means modernizing the trust relationship between our nations. These are things we can and must do. As a united Indian Country we are determined to create opportunities for success within our borders and beyond. This is a remarkable moment in our shared history. For the 566 federally recognized tribal nations and many staterecognized tribes, for the more than 5 million native peoples living in cities or on reservations across this great land, these are the days that our ancestors prayed for. We must seize the opportunity to sust
Its too big a decision to be made. Its one of many decisions secretary of defense has the deal with every day. Happy new year. I wish you all the best personally. Thank you. India u. S. Relations, where do you put your legacy and the relations between the two countries and as president obama levers for india this week for a special and Important Mission between the two worlds largest. First i have, i think many you have know this because some you have were with me when i was in india in august. I have put this relationship, the u. S. Indian relationship is high on my priority list as one area that we can find some, not only Common Ground but one where we can advance the relationship. I work very hard on that. I think the president s trip, as you note leaving this weekend, may well produce some very tangible and positive results of being made, was made, continues to be made, by this department not just me but, but people before me, people who are working on the now Frank Kendall our und