[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 20 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 20

To honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the 
                 United States, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 10, 2009

Mr. Baca introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred 
          to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
To honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the 
                 United States, and for other purposes.

    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Heritage Day Act of 
2009''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) 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;
            (2) 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;
            (3) 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;
            (4) 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;
            (5) 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;
            (6) Native Americans should be recognized for their 
        contributions to the United States as local and national 
        leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;
            (7) 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;
            (8) 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;
            (9) designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving of 
        each year as Native American Heritage Day will underscore the 
        government-to-government relationship between the United States 
        and Native American governments;
            (10) 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; and
            (11) the Friday immediately succeeding Thanksgiving Day of 
        each year would be an appropriate day to designate as Native 
        American Heritage Day.

SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY.

    Congress 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 relating 
to--
            (1) the historical status of Native American tribal 
        governments as well as the present day status of Native 
        Americans;
            (2) the cultures, traditions, and languages of Native 
        Americans; and
            (3) the rich Native American cultural legacy that all 
        Americans enjoy today.
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