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A bill has been presented to the VA State Legislature to make the Patawomeck Tribe a state recognized tribe. Chief Robert Green is sending the following letter to the tribal members, asking that they send a letter to their state delegates and senators in support of the state recognition of the Patawomeck Tribe. This is a good opportunity for King George Historical Society members to help out with a group so much a part of our own history. The Patawomecks lived in the Passapatanzy area and many decendants are still in the county.

January 17, 2010


Dear Patawomeck Tribal Member:

I write you with a great deal of excitement to let you know that Delegate William Howell has introduced a bill in this year’s General Assembly to formally recognize the Patawomeck Indians of Virginia. The bill is HJ 150 (copy attached).

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Rules of which Delegate Howell is the Chairman.

Now we need your help. Please contact your state representative and ask that they support passage of HJ 150. If the bill passes, the Patawomecks will be formally recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia. You can stress to them the importance to your family to finally have your Indian Heritage recognized by the state. Areas that you might want to express to your Virginia State Representatives are: 1) Return of human remains and artifacts from the Smithsonian Institute and other museums. 2) Protection of spiritual sites and native graves 3) Preservation of culture 3) Restoration of our language 4) Education of the community regarding the Patawomeck tribe and its importance in the establishment and survival of the Jamestown colony.
You may locate your Delegate by going to: http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView.

Your state Senator can be located at:
http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembership....

If your Delegate sits on the Rules Committee it is even more important to contact them as they will ultimately determine whether the bill goes to a vote before the entire General Assembly.

Member of the Rules committee are:
1)William J. Howell, 2)H. Morgan Griffith, 3) Lacey E. Putney, 4)R. Steven Landes, 5)M. Kirkland Cox, 6)Terry G.Kilgore, 7)R. Lee Ware, 8)William R. Janis, 9)Robert B. Bell, 10)Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr., 11)Johnny S Joannou, 12)Joseph P Johnson, Jr., 13)Ward L Armstrong, 14)Kenneth R Plum, 15)Kenneth C. Alexander

Time is of the essence. It is anticipated that the bill will be considered by the Committee within the next 2 weeks. This may be the only opportunity we get to achieve formal recognition.

Kindest Regards,

Robert Green, Chief