[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1148-E1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE INTRODUCTION OF H. CON. RES. 156, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED 
        NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

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                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce this 
Resolution expressing support for the United Nations Declaration on the 
Rights of Indigenous Peoples and urging the United States Ambassador to 
the United Nations General Assembly to support the adoption without 
amendment of the Declaration as adopted by the United Nations Human 
Rights Council on June 29, 2006.
  There are over 300 million indigenous peoples throughout the world 
today, striving for international recognition of their collective

[[Page E1149]]

rights as they struggle to preserve their cultures, traditions, and 
social values. In their respective States, these indigenous groups face 
serious challenges of marginalization, discrimination, loss of lands, 
and lack of economic development in their communities.
  The draft U.N. Declaration recognizes the rights of indigenous 
peoples to self-determination, freedom from discrimination, and freedom 
from forced assimilation. This Declaration would establish an 
international policy on indigenous rights and provide a framework for 
States in the treatment of their indigenous populations.
  The U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, over 24 
years in the making, is an important step forward in the advancement of 
stronger, more harmonious relationships between the indigenous peoples 
of the world and States. In many ways, the United States stands as a 
model for other nations as we support a Federal policy of self-
determination for our own indigenous people. Passage of this 
Resolution, H. Con. Res. 156, would demonstrate our commitment here in 
Congress to support the rights of our indigenous people here and 
throughout the world. I urge my colleagues to join me and support H. 
Con. Res. 156.

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