The u. S. Senate he is an outspoken voice for rural american and advocate for small businesses. Hes a champion of American Indian nations pushing for improvements in education, health care and housing, and working to alleviate poverty. Please join me in welcoming the honorable jon tester, the United States senator. Well, thank you, tim, for that kind introduction. Thank you for the warm welcome. It is great to be here today to celebrate the opening of the nations to nation exhibit. This exhibit is a tangible reminder of the federal governments relationship with sovereign tribal nations of this country. Its also a reminder of the moral and legal obligations that the United States has to honor and uphold our treaties with indian countries. The United States has 566 recognized tribes as sovereign entities with their own governments and their own laws. Sovereign is a key word, a treaty is formal, written agreements between sovereign states. And the constitution clearly states that a treaty