[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 83 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 83

    Expressing the Sense of Congress that the Eagle Staff shall be 
 recognized as the first flag of the sovereign Native American tribal 
 nations and the first flag of the Americas, and to encourage programs 
        promoting the cultural significance of the Eagle Staff.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 28, 2019

   Mr. Krishnamoorthi submitted the following resolution; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing the Sense of Congress that the Eagle Staff shall be 
 recognized as the first flag of the sovereign Native American tribal 
 nations and the first flag of the Americas, and to encourage programs 
        promoting the cultural significance of the Eagle Staff.

Whereas the Eagle Staff, considered the first flag of the Americas, represents 
        the stature and honor of a particular Native American tribe or tribes; 
        it commonly looks like a shepherd's staff, wrapped in either otter skin 
        or buffalo skin, and featuring eagle feathers; pre-dating colonization, 
        the Eagle Staff was the indicator of the tribe's accomplishments in 
        battle and the integrity and honor of its people; today, it is used to 
        represent tribal communities, Native American and First Nation 
        organizations, or a member of an honor society or a service veteran;
Whereas the Eagle Staff represents tribal sovereignty, unity, and tradition, and 
        reflects the honor bestowed upon the individual, tribal organization, or 
        tribal elder, the Eagle Staff is typically carried by Native American 
        veterans of the United States Armed Forces; Native Americans have served 
        in greater numbers per capita than any other ethnicity across all 
        branches of the military;
Whereas the Eagle Staff is a proud legacy of the Native American people, it is 
        the embodiment of the warrior of enduring fortitude which together have 
        enabled the tribes to survive policies intended to extinguish their race 
        and culture;
Whereas the Eagle Staff is adorned with eagle feathers symbolizing the 
        remembrance of fallen warriors; because eagles and eagle features are 
        highly revered and federally protected, only a few Federal agencies and 
        enrolled Native people may carry them; the eagle feather is the highest 
        award that can be given by a tribe to its people;
Whereas the Eagle Staff is recognized by all Native American Tribes, First 
        Nations, and other Native American organizations, the Eagle Staff is 
        welcomed into all communities, including Native American and First 
        Nation communities, with a flag song or victory song;
Whereas the Eagle Staff is formally recognized by all branches of the Canadian 
        Armed Forces and the Canadian Department of National Defence;
Whereas the Eagle Staff is recognized and honored by the national Congress of 
        American Indians; and
Whereas the Eagle Staff is recognized by the Trickster Art Gallery, a Native 
        American art gallery and museum in Schaumburg, Illinois: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) we recognize the Eagle Staff as the first flag of the 
        sovereign Native American tribal nations and the First Nations;
            (2) we renew our commitment to cooperate with tribes, 
        intergovernmental tribes, and Native American organizations, 
        including Native American Veterans organizations to encourage 
        programs promoting cultural education of the significance of 
        the Eagle Staff; and
            (3) the United States is committed to inclusiveness for all 
        Native Americans, the traditions and symbolism of the Eagle 
        Staff, and that we encourage all units of the United States 
        Government to incorporate these principles into their policies 
        and practices.
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