[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS' MEMORIAL ESTABLISHMENT ACT OF 1994

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                               speech of

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 4, 1994

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2135, a bill to establish a Native American Veterans' Memorial, a bill 
which is long overdue.
  Mr. Speaker, by now we are all aware of the miserable treatment the 
U.S. Government has given the American Indians throughout our country's 
history. It is only in recent decades that the United States has begun 
addressing this wrong. While not satisfactory in my view, we now 
provide considerable support to American Indians in the areas of 
education, health, and infrastructure.
  Throughout our history, regardless of how poorly we treated the 
American Indians, these members of the various tribes have supported 
our country in its armed conflicts. From the Revolutionary War to 
Somalia last year, American Indians have fought and given their lives 
for our country. Despite heroic efforts on their parts, American Indian 
veterans of our military services were discharged only to find out when 
they returned home that they were not even recognized as citizens by 
our Government. That wrong was not corrected until 1924.
  Mr. Speaker, I see this bill as another step in our attempt to right 
our previous wrongs. While the creation of a memorial to American 
Indian veterans is only a symbolic step, it recognizes the dedication 
many American Indians have shown to the United States over the past 200 
years.
  I want to thank Congressman Thomas for his work on this legislation, 
as well as Chairman George Miller and Bill Richardson for their efforts 
in bringing this bill to the floor today.

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