[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 163 (Thursday, November 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT AMERICANS SHOULD TAKE TIME DURING 
  NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND 
                  CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY NATIVE PEOPLES

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2001

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in supporting 
House Concurrent Resolution 270. This simple, yet important, statement 
supports the goals and ideals of Native American Heritage Month to 
highlight the important contributions Native Americans have made to our 
history and culture. This resolution also encourages the American 
people to honor and recognize the accomplishments and heritage of 
Native Americans, including their contributions in the areas of 
agriculture, medicine, art and language.
  Long before the first Europeans arrived in the upper Midwest, the 
Dakota and Ojibwe nations called Minnesota home. You can still visit 
many of the areas where Native Americans created their communities and 
see examples of this rich history. Pipestone National Monument, a 
sacred quarry in Southwest Minnesota, is still being used to mine the 
soft red pipestone that was at one time used to create the ceremonial 
pipes that were used in dealings between tribes and to honor the 
spiritual world. The story of this stone and the pipes made from it 
spans four centuries of Plains Indian life and is inseparable from the 
traditions that structured their daily routine. Today, carvings are 
appreciated as much as art as well as for ceremonial use.
  The heritage and customs of my state, Minnesota, have been greatly 
influenced by Native Americans. The name of Minnesota itself comes from 
a Dakota word meaning ``waters that reflect the sky'' and many more of 
Minnesota's cities and counties hold names that represent the Native 
American heritage that surrounds them.
  I commend the authors of this resolution for helping raise awareness 
of Native American culture and heritage. As a member of the Native 
American Caucus, I look forward to working with them to make sure the 
noble goal of encouraging the American people to honor and recognize 
Native American accomplishments happens not only during Native American 
Heritage Month but also throughout the year.




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