Common use of Findings and declarations Clause in Contracts

Findings and declarations. Congress hereby finds and declares that: (1) The Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Maliseet Tribe are asserting claims for possession of lands within the State of Maine and for damages on the ground that the lands in question were originally trans- ferred in violation of law, including, but with- out limitation, the Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790 (1 Stat. 137), or subsequent reenact- ments or versions thereof. (2) The Indians, Indian nations, and tribes and bands of Indians, other than the Passama- quoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, that once may have held aboriginal title to lands within the State of Maine long ago abandoned their aboriginal holdings. (3) The Penobscot Nation, as represented as of the time of passage of this subchapter by the Penobscot Nation’s Governor and Council, is the sole successor in interest to the aborigi- nal entity generally known as the Penobscot Nation which years ago claimed aboriginal title to certain lands in the State of Maine. (4) The Passamaquoddy Tribe, as represented as of the time of passage of this subchapter by the Joint Tribal Council of the Passama- quoddy Tribe, is the sole successor in interest to the aboriginal entity generally known as the Passamaquoddy Tribe which years ago claimed aboriginal title to certain lands in the State of Maine. (5) The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, as represented as of the time of passage of this subchapter by the Houlton Band Council, is the sole successor in interest, as to lands with- in the United States, to the aboriginal entity generally known as the Maliseet Tribe which years ago claimed aboriginal title to certain lands in the State of Maine. (6) Substantial economic and social hardship to a large number of landowners, citizens, and communities in the State of Maine, and there- fore to the economy of the State of Maine as a whole, will result if the aforementioned claims are not resolved promptly. (7) This subchapter represents a good faith effort on the part of Congress to provide the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians with a fair and just settlement of their land claims. In the absence of congressional action, these land claims would be pursued through the courts, a process which in all likelihood would consume many years and thereby promote hostility and uncertainty in the State of Maine to the ultimate detriment of the Passa- maquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, their mem- bers, and all other citizens of the State of Maine.