[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 48 (Wednesday, April 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4011-S4012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIVE AMERICAN APOLOGY RESOLUTION

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about a joint 
resolution that seeks to address an issue that has lain unresolved for 
far too long. That issue is our Nation's relationship with the Native 
peoples of this land.
  Long before 1776 and the establishment of the United States of 
America, this land was inhabited by numerous nations. Like our Nation, 
many of these peoples held a strong belief in the Creator and 
maintained a powerful spiritual connection to this land. Since the 
formation of the American Republic, there have been numerous conflicts 
between our Government and many of these tribes conflicts in which 
warriors on all sides fought courageously and in which all sides 
suffered. However, even from the earliest days of the Republic, there 
existed a sentiment that honorable dealings and peaceful coexistence 
were preferable to bloodshed. Indeed, our predecessors in Congress in 
1787 stated in the Northwest Ordinance, ``The utmost good faith shall 
always be observed toward the Indians.''
  Many treaties were made between this Republic and the American Indian 
tribes. Treaties, as my colleagues in this Chamber know, are far more 
than words on a page. Treaties are our word, our bond. Treaties with 
other governments are not to be treated lightly. Unfortunately, too 
often the United States of America did not uphold its responsibilities 
as stated in its covenants with the Native American tribes. Too often 
our Government broke its oaths to the Native peoples.
  I want my fellow Senators to know that the resolution I have 
introduced this week does not dismiss the valiance of our American 
soldiers who bravely fought for their families in wars between the 
United States and a number of the Indian tribes. Nor does this 
resolution cast all the blame for the various battles on one side or 
another. What this resolution does do is recognize and honor the 
importance of Native Americans to this land and to our Nation in the 
past and today--and offers an official apology to the Native peoples 
for the poor and painful choices our Government sometimes made to 
disregard its solemn word.
  This is a resolution of apology and a resolution of reconciliation. 
It is a first step toward healing the wounds that have divided us for 
so long--a potential foundation for a new era of positive relations 
between tribal governments and the Federal Government. It is time--it 
is past time--for us to heal our land of division, all divisions, and 
bring us together as one people.
  Before reconciliation, there must be recognition and repentance. 
Before there is a durable relationship, there must be understanding. 
This resolution will not authorize or serve as a settlement of any 
claim against the United States, nor will it resolve the many 
challenges still facing Native peoples. But it does recognize the 
negative impact of numerous deleterious Federal acts and policies on 
Native Americans and their cultures. Moreover, it begins the effort of 
reconciliation by recognizing past wrongs and repenting for them.
  Martin Luther King, a true reconciler, once said, ``The end is 
reconciliation, the end is redemption, the end is the creation of the 
beloved community.'' This resolution is not the end. But, perhaps it 
signals the beginning of the end of division and the faint first light 
and first fruits of the creation of beloved community.

[[Page S4012]]

  In the 108th Congress, I worked with the chairman and ranking member 
of the Indian Affairs Committee, Senator Campbell and Senator Inouye, 
in crafting this apology resolution. I also reached out to the Native 
tribes as this bill was being formed, and I continue to receive helpful 
and supportive feedback from them. The resolution I submitted this 
week, S.J. Res. 15, is identical to the version that was approved 
unanimously by the Indian Affairs Committee last year. I ask that my 
colleagues in this Chamber, and those in the House of Representatives, 
join in support of this important resolution.

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