The Washington NFL team invited Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to a game this season and on Monday Reid responded with a terse thanks, but no thanks.
Dear Washington football team management,
Thanks for the invite, but I won’t consider it until you change the name. reid.senate.gov/press_releases… — Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) June 16, 2014
Washington team executive Bruce Allen sent a letter in May defending the team name and inviting Reid to a game after Reid was among 50 U.S. senators who sent letters to the NFL castigating the name. Reid’s Twitter account linked to a copy of his return letter, in which he pointedly does not use the word “Redskins.”
Dear Mr. Allen:
I received your letter and invitation to attend a Washington, D.C. football team event.
During my time in the United States Senate, I have worked to right many of the injustices endured by Americans throughout the country. Among the most egregious in the history of our country are those injustices inflicted upon American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. This is personal for me. I represent 27 tribes as the Senator from Nevada and have worked to protect their homelands and their sovereignty. I have a duty to ensure that the United States uphold centuries-old treaty and trust obligations towards Native Americans, and I take this responsibility very seriously.
I will not stand idly by while a professional sports team promotes a racial slur as a team name and disparages the American people. Nor will I consider your invitation to attend a home game until your organization chooses to do the right thing and change its offensive name.
Sincerely,
Harry Reid
SOURCE: USA Today Sports / For the Win
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