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Tribe Hires Former Rep. Delahunt As Lobbyist

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is drawing from Capitol Hill for its new lobbyist.

The tribe has hired former Rep. Bill Delahunt to advocate for the tribe in both federal and state arenas.

Tribe Chair Cedric Cromwell says Delahunt will help with many key issues.

"Gaming's one of our economic opportunities, but as I pointed out before, I see him lobbying for many of our interests on the state level," Cromwell said.

Cromwell, who says the former congressman has been a longtime supporter of the tribe's interests, would not say how much the tribe is paying Delahunt.

Delahunt said the tribe's dealings with the government have been marked by "bureaucracy, impasse, inertia, and sometimes outright hostility" and he is proud to represent them.

Wampanoag efforts to build a resort-style casino in Middleborough and Fall River in recent years have stalled. The state Legislature has still not approved casinos.

Rep. Bill Keating has replaced the recently retired Delahunt as the 10th Congressional District's representative.

With reporting from the WBUR Newsroom and The Associated Press.

This program aired on March 10, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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