Fox, Geoff. “Blue promises support for Lumbee recognition.” Robesonian 6 May 2002.
Dan Blue, a Robeson County native, is a Democratic candidate for nomination to run for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by Senator Jesse Helms, who is not seeking re-election. Blue, who was the first black Speaker of the House in a Southern state, has made six appearances in Robeson County recently and vows, if elected, to support federal recognition for the Lumbee. Blue called Senator Jesse Helms “one of the biggest stumbling blocks” to Lumbee federal recognition. Blue's other campaign emphases for North Carolinians include education, jobs, and social security and other retirement benefits.
Blue was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1981 and was House Speaker from 1991 until 1995, when Republicans gained a majority in the House.