III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 689 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 19, 2010 Mr. Dorgan (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Tester, Mr. Franken, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Bingaman, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Akaka, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Begich, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Udall of Colorado) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives and the contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the United States.

Whereas from November 1, 2010, through November 30, 2010, the United States celebrates National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month; Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are descendants of the original, indigenous inhabitants of what is now the United States; Whereas the United States Bureau of the Census estimated in 2009 that there were almost 5,000,000 individuals in the United States of American Indian or Alaska Native descent; Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives maintain vibrant cultures and traditions, and hold a deeply rooted sense of community; Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have moving stories of tragedy, triumph, and perseverance that need to be shared with future generations; Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives speak and preserve indigenous languages, which have contributed to the English language by being used as names of individuals and locations throughout the United States; Whereas Congress has recently reaffirmed its support of tribal self-governance and its commitment to improving the lives of all Native Americans by enhancing health care services, increasing law enforcement resources, and approving settlements of litigation involving Indian tribes and the United States; Whereas Congress is committed to improving the housing conditions and socioeconomic status of American Indians and Alaska Natives; Whereas the United States is committed to strengthening the government-to-government relationship that it has maintained with the various Indian Tribes; Whereas Congress has recognized the contributions of the Iroquois Confederacy, and its influence on the Founding Fathers in the drafting of the Constitution of the United States with the concepts of freedom of speech, the separation of governmental powers, and the system of checks and balances between the branches of government; Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have served with honor and distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States, and continue to serve in the Armed Forces in greater numbers per capita than any other group in the United States; Whereas the United States has recognized the contribution of the Native American code talkers in World War I and World War II, who used indigenous languages as an unbreakable military code, saving countless Americans; and Whereas the people of the United States have reason to honor the great achievements and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives and their ancestors: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the month of November 2010 as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month; (2)celebrates the heritage and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives and honors the contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the United States; and (3)urges the people of the United States to observe National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities.