[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 321 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 321

  Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the American 
              Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC).


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 4, 2002

Mr. Campbell (for himself, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. Domenici, Mr. 
 Bingaman, Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Stabenow, and Ms. Cantwell) submitted the 
  following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Indian 
                                Affairs

                           November 20, 2002

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the American 
              Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC).

Whereas the United States of America and Indian Tribes have a unique legal and 
        political relationship as expressed in the U.S. Constitution, treaties, 
        Federal statutes and Executive orders, court decisions, and course of 
        dealing;
Whereas the United States has committed itself to national education excellence 
        including excellence in institutions that educate American Indian and 
        Alaska Native children and adults;
Whereas tribal colleges and universities are fully accredited community-based 
        educational institutions devoted to the education, welfare, and economic 
        advancement of American Indian communities;
Whereas the populations in the communities served by tribal colleges and 
        universities are among the poorest of the Nation, and the services 
        provided by the tribal colleges and universities enable students to 
        train for and obtain jobs that offer social and economic stability, and 
        serve to reduce welfare dependence in these communities;
Whereas tribal colleges and universities are chronically underfunded, and in 
        addition to offering their communities higher education opportunities, 
        also function as community centers, libraries, childcare centers, tribal 
        archives, career and business centers, economic development centers, and 
        public meeting places;
Whereas in 1970 President Nixon issued his now-famous ``Special Message to 
        Congress on Indian Affairs'' rejecting the failed policies of 
        assimilation and termination and heralding the new era of Indian Self 
        Determination;
Whereas in 1972 six tribal colleges established the American Indian Higher 
        Education Consortium to empower its member institutions through 
        collective action, construct a national support and communications 
        network, and assist Indian communities and Native people in the field of 
        educational achievement, while nurturing, advocating, and protecting 
        American Indian history, culture, art and language;
Whereas the American Indian Higher Education Consortium consists of 32 tribal 
        colleges and universities located in 12 states that enroll approximately 
        30,000 full- and part-time students from over 250 Federally-recognized 
        Indian Tribes;
Whereas on July 3, 2002, President Bush issued Executive Order 13270 ensuring 
        that tribal colleges and universities are more fully recognized and 
        integrated into the American family of institutions of higher education;
Whereas tribal colleges and universities provide access to information 
        technology critical to full participation in American economic, 
        political and social life, bridging great distances and transforming 
        learning environment; and
Whereas tribal colleges and universities and their Native communities continue 
        to play an integral role in American Indian education including 
        assisting in the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, that the Senate of the United States recognizes the 
essential role tribal colleges and universities play in American Indian 
communities, honors the vision and commitment of the founders of the 
American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and celebrates 30 
successful years of implementing that vision for the benefit of 
American Indian peoples across the United States.
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