Heinrich To Unveil Legislation To Prohibit Exporting Sacred Native American Items

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) will unveil the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act at events in Albuquerque, N.M. and Washington, D.C. next week.

On Tuesday, July 5, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, N.M., Senator Heinrich will be joined by tribal leaders to discuss the details of the STOP Act and highlight the urgent need to stop the theft and sale of priceless Native religious and cultural items in international markets.

On Wednesday, July 6, on Capitol Hill in the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing room, Senator Heinrich will host a press conference to announce the introduction of the STOP Act. He will be joined by senators supporting the legislation, along with tribal leaders and cultural patrimony experts.

The STOP Act would prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking tribal cultural patrimony.  Senator Heinrich worked with tribes in New Mexico and across Indian Country to draft the legislation. The bill's introduction comes after Senator Heinrich worked to help halt the auction of a Pueblo of Acoma ceremonial shield that was scheduled to be sold at the EVE Auction House in Paris in May.

***Press interested in attending the following events should RSVP to press@heinrich.senate.gov or call (202) 228-1578.***

Albuquerque, N.M. - Tuesday, July 5, 2016
WHAT:  Press Conference
WHEN:  9:15 a.m. MT **Media are asked to pre-set by 9 a.m. MT**
WHERE:  Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St NW, Albuquerque, N.M. 87104

Washington, D.C. - Wednesday, July 6, 2016
WHAT:  Press Conference
WHEN:  12 p.m. ET **Media are asked to pre-set by 11:45 a.m. ET**
WHERE:  U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, 628 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510