[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 93 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7257-S7258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
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SENATE RESOLUTION 118--TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2001 AS
``NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH''
Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Stevens, Mr.
Corzine, Mr. Brownback, Mr. McCain, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Johnson, Mr.
Cochran, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Domenici, Ms. Stabenow, Mr.
Bingaman, Mr. Crapo, Mrs. Murray, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Wellstone, Mr.
Thomas, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Dayton, Mr. Craig, Mr. Reid, Mr.
Smith of Oregon, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Allard, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Schumer, and
Mr. Breaux) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 118
Whereas American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native
Hawaiians were the original inhabitants of the land that now
constitutes the United States;
Whereas American Indian tribal governments developed the
fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of
powers that form the foundation of the United States
Government;
Whereas American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native
Hawaiians have traditionally exhibited a respect for the
finiteness of natural resources through a reverence for the
earth;
Whereas American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native
Hawaiians have served with valor in all of America's wars
beginning with the Revolutionary War through the conflict in
the Persian Gulf, and often the percentage of American
Indians who served exceeded significantly the percentage of
American Indians in the population of the United States as a
whole;
Whereas American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native
Hawaiians have made distinct and important contributions to
the United States and the rest of the world in many fields,
including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art;
Whereas American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native
Hawaiians deserve to be recognized for their individual
contributions to the United States as local and national
leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;
Whereas this recognition will encourage self-esteem, pride,
and self-awareness in American Indians, Alaska Natives, and
Native Hawaiians of all ages; and
Whereas November is a time when many Americans commemorate
a special time in the history of the United States when
American Indians and English settlers celebrated the bounty
of their harvest and the promise of new kinships: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate designates November 2001 as
``National American Indian Heritage Month'' and requests that
the President issue a proclamation calling on the Federal
Government and 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.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, along with thirty of my colleagues today
I am pleased to introduce a resolution to recount the many
contributions American Indians and Alaska Natives have made to this
great Nation and to designate November, 2001, as ``National American
Indian Heritage Month'' as Congress has done for nearly a decade.
American Indians and Alaska Natives have left an indelible imprint on
many aspects of our everyday life that most Americans often take for
granted. The arts, education, science, the armed forces, medicine,
industry, and government are a few of the areas that have been
influenced by American Indian and Alaska Native people over the last
500 years. In the medical field, many of the healing remedies that we
use today were obtained from practices already in use by Indian people
and are still utilized today in conjunction with western medicine.
Many of the basic principles of democracy in our Constitution can be
traced to practices and customs already in use by American Indian
tribal governments including the doctrines of freedom of speech and
separation of powers.
The respect of Native people for the preservation of natural
resources, reverence for elders, and adherence to tradition, mirrors
our own values which we developed in part, through the contact with
American Indians and Alaska Natives. These values and customs are
deeply rooted, strongly embraced and thrive with generation after
generation of Native people.
From the difficult days of Valley Forge through our peace keeping
efforts around the world today, American Indian and Alaska Native
people have proudly served and dedicated their lives in the military
readiness and defense of our country in wartime and in peace.
It is a fact that on a per capita basis, Native participation rate in
the Armed Forces outstrips the rates of all other groups in this
Nation. Many American Indian men made the ultimate sacrifice in the
defense of this Nation, some even before they were granted citizenship
in 1924.
Many of the words in our language have been borrowed from Native
languages, including many of the names of
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the rivers, cities, and States across our Nation. Indian arts and
crafts have also made a distinct impression on our heritage.
It is my hope that by designating the month of November 2001, as
``National American Indian Heritage Month,'' we will continue to
encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness amongst American
Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages.
November is a special time in the history of the United States: we
celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by remembering the Indians of the
Northeast and English settlers as they enjoyed the bounty of their
harvest and the promise of new kinships.
By recognizing the many Native contributions to the arts, governance,
and culture of our Nation, we will honor their past and ensure a place
in America for Native people for generations to come. I ask for the
support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for this
resolution, and urge the Senate to pass this important matter.
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