[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 118 and 
that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 118.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Johnson). Without objection, it is so 
ordered. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 118) to designate the month of 
     November 2001 as ``National American Indian Heritage Month''.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
and preamble be agreed to en bloc, that the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 118) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              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.

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