At a Feb 29, 2008 Senate Economic Development Committee Hearing, April St. Francis Merrill daughter of Chief Homer St Francis testified along with others in support of tribal recognition. At that time, Sen. Illuzzi was quoted as saying, “What I’ve said to them is that we cannot pass a bill that upsets as many as it pleases. Everybody’s got their positions and they’re well-reasoned, and I respect their positions ... Right now, it’s up to the different groups to come to some consensus.” The Bill on the Recognition of Tribes and Bands of Native Americans, passed the Senate but was not enacted into law. The bill proposed that the state of Vermont recognize the Koasek Traditional Band of the Sovereign Abenaki Nation (led by Chief Brian Chenevert and Chief Nancy Millette), the Sovereign Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi St. Francis/Sokoki Band (led by Chief April St. Francis), and the Nulhegan Band of the Abenaki Nation (led by Chief Luke Willard) as original Native American tribes who reside in Vermont.