[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 151 (Wednesday, November 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S11799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE AMERICAN 
                   INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION CONSORTIUM

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

       A resolution (S. Res. 321) commemorating the 30th 
     Anniversary of the Founding of the American Indian Higher 
     Education Consortium (AIHEC).

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to the consideration 
of the resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table; and that any statements regarding this matter 
be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 321) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 321

       Whereas the United States of America and Indian Tribes have 
     a unique legal and political relationship as expressed in the 
     U.S. Constitution, treaties, Federal statutes and Executive 
     orders, court decisions, and course of dealing;
       Whereas the United States has committed itself to national 
     education excellence including excellence in institutions 
     that educate American Indian and Alaska Native children and 
     adults;
       Whereas tribal colleges and universities are fully 
     accredited community-based educational institutions devoted 
     to the education, welfare, and economic advancement of 
     American Indian communities;
       Whereas the populations in the communities served by tribal 
     colleges and universities are among the poorest of the 
     Nation, and the services provided by the tribal colleges and 
     universities enable students to train for and obtain jobs 
     that offer social and economic stability, and serve to reduce 
     welfare dependence in these communities;
       Whereas tribal colleges and universities are chronically 
     underfunded, and in addition to offering their communities 
     higher education opportunities, also function as community 
     centers, libraries, childcare centers, tribal archives, 
     career and business centers, economic development centers, 
     and public meeting places;
       Whereas in 1970 President Nixon issued his now-famous 
     ``Special Message to Congress on Indian Affairs'' rejecting 
     the failed policies of assimilation and termination and 
     heralding the new era of Indian Self Determination;
       Whereas in 1972 six tribal colleges established the 
     American Indian Higher Education Consortium to empower its 
     member institutions through collective action, construct a 
     national support and communications network, and assist 
     Indian communities and Native people in the field of 
     educational achievement, while nurturing, advocating, and 
     protecting American Indian history, culture, art and 
     language;
       Whereas the American Indian Higher Education Consortium 
     consists of 32 tribal colleges and universities located in 12 
     states that enroll approximately 30,000 full- and part-time 
     students from over 250 Federally-recognized Indian Tribes;
       Whereas on July 3, 2002, President Bush issued Executive 
     Order 13270 ensuring that tribal colleges and universities 
     are more fully recognized and integrated into the American 
     family of institutions of higher education;
       Whereas tribal colleges and universities provide access to 
     information technology critical to full participation in 
     American economic, political and social life, bridging great 
     distances and transforming learning environment; and
       Whereas tribal colleges and universities and their Native 
     communities continue to play an integral role in American 
     Indian education including assisting in the implementation of 
     the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the Senate of the United States recognizes 
     the essential role tribal colleges and universities play in 
     American Indian communities, honors the vision and commitment 
     of the founders of the American Indian Higher Education 
     Consortium, and celebrates 30 successful years of 
     implementing that vision for the benefit of American Indian 
     peoples across the United States.

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