[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 400 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 400

 To designate Friday, November 23, 2007, as ``Native American Heritage 
    Day'' in honor of the achievements and contributions of Native 
                    Americans to the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 11, 2007

Mr. Inouye (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. 
   Clinton, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Conrad, Mr. 
   Domenici, Mr. Akaka, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Stevens, Mr. 
 Baucus, and Mr. Tester) submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 To designate Friday, November 23, 2007, as ``Native American Heritage 
    Day'' in honor of the achievements and contributions of Native 
                    Americans to the United States.

Whereas Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal, indigenous, 
        native people who were the original inhabitants of and who governed the 
        lands that now constitute the United States;
Whereas Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the United States Armed 
        Forces and have served with valor in all of the Nation's military 
        actions from the Revolutionary War through the present day, and in most 
        of those actions, more Native Americans per capita served in the Armed 
        Forces than any other group of Americans;
Whereas Native American tribal governments developed the fundamental principles 
        of freedom of speech and separation of governmental powers that were a 
        model for those that form the foundation of the United States 
        Constitution;
Whereas the Founding Fathers based the provisions of the Constitution on the 
        unique system of democracy of the Six Nations of the Iroquois 
        Confederacy, which divided powers among the branches of government and 
        provided for a system of checks and balances;
Whereas Native Americans have made distinct and significant contributions to the 
        United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including 
        agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art, and Native Americans 
        have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual 
        leaders, and scholars;
Whereas Native Americans should be recognized for their contributions to the 
        United States as local and national leaders, artists, athletes, and 
        scholars;
Whereas nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native Americans have 
        made to the fabric of American society will afford an opportunity for 
        all Americans to demonstrate their respect and admiration of Native 
        Americans for their important contributions to the political, cultural, 
        and economic life of the United States;
Whereas nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native Americans have 
        made to the Nation will encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness 
        in Native Americans of all ages;
Whereas designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving as Native American 
        Heritage Day will underscore the government-to-government relationship 
        between the United States and Native American governments; and
Whereas designation of Native American Heritage Day will encourage public 
        elementary and secondary schools in the United States to enhance 
        understanding of Native Americans by providing curricula and classroom 
        instruction focusing on the achievements and contributions of Native 
        Americans to the Nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, that the Senate--
            (1) designates Friday, November 23, 2007, as ``Native 
        American Heritage Day''; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States, as well as 
        Federal, State, and local governments and interested groups and 
        organizations to observe Native American Heritage Day with 
        appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, including 
        activities related to--
                    (A) the historical and constitutional status of 
                Native American tribal governments as well as the 
                present day status of Native Americans;
                    (B) the cultures, traditions, and languages of 
                Native Americans; and
                    (C) the rich Native American cultural legacy that 
                all Americans enjoy today.
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