[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 1, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S16555-S16556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 191, 
submitted earlier today by Senator McCain.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 191) designating the month of 
     November 1995 as ``National American Indian Heritage Month,'' 
     and for other purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and the following 51 
Senators, I am pleased to submit today a Senate resolution to designate 
the month of November, 1995 as American Indian Heritage Month: Baucus, 
Bennett, Bingaman, Bradley, Breaux, Brown, Bryan, Burns, Campbell, 
Chafee, Cochran, Cohen, Conrad, Craig, D'Amato, Daschle, Dodd, 
Domenici, Dorgan, Exon, Faircloth, Feingold, Feinstein, Gorton, Graham, 
Hatch, Inhofe, Inouye, Jeffords, Kassebaum, Kempthorne, Kennedy, J. 
Kerry, Lautenberg, Levin, Lieberman, Mikulski, Moseley-Braun, Murray, 
Nickles, Pell, Pressler, Reid, Sarbanes, Simon, Simpson, Specter, 
Stevens, Thomas, Thurmond, and Wellstone.
  Since 1982, the Congress has honored American Indians by designating 
a special day or week to pay tribute to the many outstanding 
contributions that American Indian tribes have made to our Nation. In 
the past 5 years, the Senate and the House have jointly designated the 
month of November as a time to celebrate the unique culture and 
heritage of American Indian people.
  Mr. President, there are 557 federally recognized Indian tribal 
governments in this country, each with their own distinct language, 
culture, and traditions. All of us as Americans reap the benefits from 
many of these tribes' contributions, customs, and teachings.
  Many of the principles of democracy that are reflected in the U.S. 
Constitution were drawn from the governmental traditions of various 
American Indian tribes, particularly the fundamental principles of 
freedom of speech and separation of powers in government. 
Environmentalists embrace the spiritual and practical teachings of 
Indian people because of their deep-rooted beliefs and reverence for 
the natural world.
  Many of our words in the English language derive from native 
languages, including those that denote rivers, cities and, counties 
nationwide. The beautiful art, crafts, and jewelry of American Indian 
tribes are a distinctive feature of our American heritage.
  A wide range of modern medicines and remedies derive from traditional 
American Indian healing practices that use natural herbs and plants. 
Indian people have lent important findings to the fields of 
agriculture, anthropology, astronomy, and other sciences.
  In proportion to their share of the overall population, more American 
Indians have dedicated their lives to the military defense of our 
country than have any other group of Americans.
  The special designation of November as American Indian Heritage Month 
is equally important as an educational tool for America's children. 
American Indians and many others utilize this time to share their 
special cultural heritage with the larger world. Schools, educational 
institutions, and teachers take advantage of this opportunity to 
include educational activities and events in their curriculum and 
school activities that celebrate the many contributions and 
achievements of American Indians. Federal agencies, various 
organizations, and private businesses plan activities geared toward 
educating the public and their employees about American Indian history 
and culture.
  Mr. President, around the Thanksgiving holiday that occurs each 
November, Americans typically remember a special time in our history 
when the American Indians and English settlers celebrated and gave 
thanks for the bounty of their harvests and the promise of new 
kinships. I think the month of November is, therefore, an appropriate 
time for America to commemorate and recognize the first Americans.
  Therefore, I ask you to join me in this special tribute to the 
American Indian people of this country. They deserve special 
recognition for their significant contributions to our great Nation.
  Mr. President, I urge immediate adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to; that the preamble be agreed to; that the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table; and that any statements relating to 
the resolution appear at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the resolution (S. Res. 191) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 191

       Whereas American Indians were the original inhabitants of 
     the land that now constitutes the United States of America;
       Whereas American Indian governments developed the 
     fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of 
     powers in government, and these principles form the 
     foundation of the United States Government today;
       Whereas American Indian societies have exhibited a respect 
     for the finiteness of natural resources through deep respect 
     for the earth, and these values continue to be widely held 
     today;
       Whereas American Indian people have served with valor in 
     all wars from the Revolutionary War to the conflict in the 
     Persian Gulf, often in a percentage well above the percentage 
     of American Indians in the population of the United States as 
     a whole;
       Whereas American Indians have made distinct and important 
     contributions to America and the rest of the world in many 
     fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and 
     art;
       Whereas American Indians deserve to be recognized for their 
     individual contributions to American society as artists, 
     sculptors, musicians, authors, poets, artisans, scientists, 
     and scholars;
       Whereas a resolution and proclamation as requested in this 
     resolution will encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-
     awareness in American Indians of all ages; and
       Whereas November is traditionally the month when American 
     Indians have harvested their crops and is generally a time of 
     celebration and giving thanks: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates November 1995 as 
     ``National American Indian Heritage Month'' and requests that 
     the President issue a proclamation calling on Federal, State, 
     and local governments, interested groups and organizations, 
     and the people of the United States to observe the month with 
     appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. 

[[Page S 16556]]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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