WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) released the following photo and statement after attending the bill signing ceremony for The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 at the White House. Rep. Heinrich is a cosponsor of the legislation that gives American Indian tribes more authority to combat crime on their reservations. The legislation was passed by Congress last week and signed into law by President Obama earlier today.

"This law will make our Native communities safer by giving law enforcement on tribal lands the resources and authority they need to prosecute and fight crime more effectively. The signing of this bill marks a step forward in public safety on reservations and nearby communities. Today, we sent a clear message that sexual assault and other crimes, far too common on tribal land, will no longer go unnoticed due to lack of resources."

PHOTO: U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich pictured with U.S. Department of Interior Solicitor Hilary Tompkins at the signing ceremony for The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 at the White House on July 29, 2010.

(Click here for more photos. To request a high-resolution photo, please email whitney.potter@mail.house.gov.)

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