The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
A bit of Las Vegas glitz will come to Virginia's General Assembly today.
Entertainer Wayne Newton is scheduled to testify in support of legislation that would extend state recognition to the Patawomeck Indians, a tribe to which he belongs.
Patawomeck Chief Robert "Two Eagles" Green is Newton's cousin. He helped set up Newton's visit and was surprised to learn Monday that it had become public.
"We were trying to keep it low-key," Green said.
The effort to gain recognition for the tribe, he said, has been about 14 years in the making.
The measure, sponsored by House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford County, would add the tribe to the eight already acknowledged by the state. The tribe is also known as the Potomac.
"They used to be called the 'Newton Indians' because Newton is a very common surname in a particular part of Stafford County where these Indians all lived," Howell said. "And there's lots of Newtons there now who can trace their heritage, their ancestry back to the Patawomeck Tribe, and Wayne Newton is one of them."
Howell said Newton, known as Mr. Las Vegas for his extended run as featured performer in the gambling mecca, is canceling one of his shows at personal expense to travel to his home state and testify for the bill.
In addition to participating in the legislative process, the entertainer will meet briefly with Gov. Bob McDonnell today.
McDonnell confessed that while he knew the visit with Newton was on his schedule, he's wasn't aware of its purpose and thus couldn't offer an opinion on the proposed tribal recognition.
"I have to say I did not know what he was coming to talk to me about," the governor said Monday. "But between now and tomorrow we'll have to bone up on that issue a little bit."
Asked if he's a fan of Newton's, McDonnell said, "I was - probably 30 years ago when he and I were both cool," adding that the singer has one of the most "magnificent natural voices that I've ever heard."
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Indian tribe
It certainly is way overdue as to recognize the Patawomeck Indians, when they have more right to be here than we do.
Danke schoen, Wayne!
Danke schoen!
Our Governor
"McDonnell confessed that while he knew the visit with Newton was on his schedule, he's wasn't aware of its purpose and thus couldn't offer an opinion on the proposed tribal recognition."
I remember Inauguration day when the Indians danced around the 71st Governor of the commonwealth recognizing him as our new leader.
What Governor Bob could do now is help with the Potomoc Indian nation recognition.
I could forgive his lack of purpose a month in if something good comes from this important meeting.
Publicity
It's nice that the tribal leaders were trying to keep it low key, but the publicity might create more awareness and sympathy for their cause. Good luck to them.
Good for Mr. Newton and the
Good for Mr. Newton and the Patawomeck Tribe. It's nice to see a celebrity take on the cause of non-represented minority.
And sorry, Mr. Governor, but you were never "cool". Your misogynistic rants vis a vis a sub-par master's thesis at an inferior legal school prove the point: you were always a hack. The self-confessed ignorance of your own daily agenda proves the point. Take some time and "bone up" on the issues, will ya?
You mean the law school that
You mean the law school that produced our governor?
Enjoy your day trolling the boards to spread nonsense.