[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2118]
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. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 4766, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation 
Act of 2006. H.R. 4766 will help to preserve all the indigenous 
languages that are still being spoken.
  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 help 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. H.R. 4766 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 my 
intention that students in survival school programs demonstrate 
adequate progress in English proficiency according to their appropriate 
grade level.
  It is also my 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 permission for students to enroll in the survival 
schools. Parents should be able to make decisions about their 
children's education, and H.R. 4766 provides Native American parents 
with new opportunities to do so.

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