WASHINGTON D.C. — Rep. Grijalva released the following statement after the Tohono O’odham Nation and the State of Arizona announced an agreement to settle their dispute regarding the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley near the City of Glendale. The agreement also leads to the end of the congressional legislative attempt to limit the Nation’s economic efforts in the West Valley.

“It is gratifying that the Tohono O’odham Nation and the State of Arizona have finalized an agreement that effectively continues the full development of the Tohono O’odham Casino in the West Valley in Maricopa County” Rep. Grijalva said. “After years of litigation, well over $10 million dollars in legal fees, and federal legislative attempts by opponents to halt development, we can finally move on. Despite the numerous attempts to halt the casino and millions upon millions of dollars spent in those failed efforts, the Tohono O’odham Nation has prevailed in court and Congress. This agreement guarantees for the foreseeable future that no more money and time is wasted on futile litigation efforts. I have been proud to stand with the Tohono O’odham Nation throughout this process and congratulate them on their hard-earned right to pursue their economic development plans for their people, the West Valley and the taxpayers of Arizona.”