Hayworth: Contributions From Abramoff Will Be Donated To Charity

Condemns efforts by Democrats to demonize tribes SCOTTSDALE, AZ U.S. Rep. J. D. Hayworth of Arizona, cochairman of the Congressional Native American Caucus, announced today he would donate to charity $2,250 he received in personal contributions from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He issued the following statement: In 12 years, Jack Abramoff only contributed to my campaign or PAC a total of $2,250, nothing since 1999. I will contribute that amount to the Salvation Army Katrina Disaster Fund because I do not want any confusion to exist between contributions received many years ago from a person who is now a confessed felon and the strong support I have received from Native American tribes throughout my congressional service. Those tribes supported me long before they were represented by Jack Abramoff and have continued to support me since they severed all ties with him. The efforts of Democrats to demonize the tribes that have already been victimized by Abramoff are both unconscionable and hypocritical. In Arizona, for instance, the state Democrat party, which amassed $1.9 million in political donations from Native American organizations in the past four years, has called the tribal contributions tainted and demanded that they be returned. The tribes did nothing wrong -- they were the victims -- and I have letters from them saying they do not want a refund. The Democrats should stop to realize that their constant drumbeat to give it back could serve to rekindle the prejudices and the distrust that once kept tribes mired in second- class status.