[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2116-E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H.R. 4766, ESTHER MARTINEZ NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGES PRESERVATION ACT 
                                OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4766, the 
Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006. 
This measure will empower Native American tribes, organizations, and 
colleges as they seek to preserve Native languages and cultures.
  In many Native American communities, Native languages are 
disappearing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that only 20 
indigenous languages will remain viable by the year 2050. Providing 
grants to Native American language programs consisting of language 
nests, survival schools, and restoration programs will bolster the 
effort to preserve this important part of our Nation's history and 
culture.
  By encouraging a greater focus on Native language programs, we are 
not only striving to preserve the identity of the Nation's tribes, but 
we're encouraging greater academic performance among Native American 
students as well. In fact, the legislation requires that Native 
American language survival schools work toward a goal of all students 
achieving both fluency in a Native American language and academic 
proficiency in mathematics, reading (or language arts), and science. It 
is our intention that students in survival school programs demonstrate 
adequate progress in English proficiency according to their appropriate 
grade level.
  It is also our intention that the Department of Health and Human 
Services' Administration for Native Americans administer this program 
in such a way that Native American survival school grantees be required 
to obtain parental

[[Page E2117]]

permission for students to enroll in the survival schools. All parents 
should be able to make decisions about their children's education, and 
this bill provides Native American parents with new opportunities to do 
so.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this worthwhile 
legislation.

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