[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 139 (Friday, October 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 240--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 2003 AS ``NATIONAL AMERICAN 
                        INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH''

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. 
Johnson, Mr. Domenici, Mr. McCain, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Hatch) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 240

       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives were the 
     original inhabitants of the land that now constitutes the 
     United States;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have 
     traditionally exhibited a respect for the finiteness of 
     natural resources through a reverence for the Earth;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have served 
     with valor in all of the wars of the United States, beginning 
     with the Revolutionary War and continuing through the 
     conflict in Iraq, and the percentage of Native Americans 
     serving in the United States armed services has significantly 
     exceeded the percentage of Native people in the population of 
     the United States as a whole;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have made 
     distinct and important contributions to the world in many 
     fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and 
     the arts;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives should be 
     recognized for their contributions to the United States, 
     including as local and national leaders, artists, athletes, 
     and scholars;
       Whereas such recognition will encourage self-esteem, pride, 
     and self-awareness in American Indians and Alaska Natives of 
     all ages; and
       Whereas November is a month during which 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--
       (1) designates November 2003 as ``National American Indian 
     Heritage Month''; and
       (2) 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, today I am pleased to be joined by 
Senators Inouye, Dorgan, Bingaman, Johnson, Domenici, McCain, Thomas 
and Hatch in submitting a resolution to recognize the many 
contributions American Indians and Alaska Natives have made to our 
great Nation and to designate November, 2003, as ``National American 
Indian Heritage Month'' as Congress has done for nearly a decade.
  Native people have left an indelible imprint on many aspects of our 
everyday life that most Americans 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 
derive from practices used first by Native people hundreds of years 
before we incorporated them into western medicine.
  Native people revere the natural environment, have great respect for 
elders and veterans, and cherish the family which is the center of 
Indian life and culture. These values 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 the Nation.
  Many Native men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice in 
defending the Nation, some 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 the rivers, cities, and 
States across America. Indian arts and crafts have also made a distinct 
impression on our heritage.
  By designating November 2003, as ``National American Indian Heritage 
Month'' we will continue to encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-
awareness among American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages and 
remind all Americans of the contributions of the Native people of this 
great land.

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