[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 171 (Tuesday, November 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 5, 2007

  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of H. Res. 
744, I rise in strong support of this resolution and urge its passage. 
I want to thank Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin who is an 
original cosponsor of this resolution and who is a strong advocate for 
our veterans. I also want to thank Chairman Bob Filner, who cosponsored 
the resolution and Ranking Member Steve Buyer for his commitment to all 
veterans.
  Earlier this year I met with some Native American veterans in my 
State. They expressed many concerns to me and were worried that all 
Native American Veterans had not been recognized for their service to 
their country.
  On October 15, 2007, Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin and I introduced 
H. Res. 744, a resolution that recognizes the contributions of Native 
American veterans and calls upon the President of the United States to 
issue a proclamation urging the United States to observe a day in honor 
of Native American veterans.
  Native Americans were participants in the War of 1812, the Civil War 
and the Spanish-American War. During World War I, 12,000 Native 
Americans served in the United States military and in World War II, 
more than 44,000 Native Americans served their country in both the 
European and Pacific fronts of the war. Native Americans also fought in 
the Korean conflict and the Vietnam war. In Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
Operation Enduring Freedom, Native Americans have made significant 
contributions.
  Native American veterans should be recognized for their service in 
uniform. This resolution gives all Native American veterans the formal 
recognition they deserve for their sacrifices and contributions.
  I have also introduced H.R. 4012, the Native American Language 
Assistance Act of 2007, a bill to assist VA hospitals and clinics that 
treat a large number of Native American patients. I urge my colleagues 
to cosponsor this legislation that will ensure that Native American 
veterans have access, delivery and follow-up of services at the VA.
  The bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out 
a program to make competitive grants to any VA medical facility that 
treats a high number of Native American veterans. The grants, up to 
$100,000 each, would provide interpreters or other language resources 
to improve access to, delivery of, and follow-up for medical services 
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  I am concerned that Indian veterans are. not receiving adequate 
assistance and support for their care at our VA hospitals. This bill 
will provide help to those hospitals that treat high numbers of 
Indians. By providing our VA hospitals with funding for language 
programs and outreach, we can better communicate to these veterans 
about what services and benefits are available to them and make sure 
they are getting the care and support they need.
  Nationally, there are 195,871 Native American veterans. There are 
11,929 Native American Veterans in New Mexico--3.1 percent of the 
entire American Indian veteran population.
  I am grateful to all who serve their Nation and we as a Congress have 
a responsibility to ensure they receive the best possible care. In this 
war on terrorism, the greatest burdens have fallen on the shoulders of 
a relatively small number of Americans who have volunteered to take 
great risks on our behalf. Events over the last few years have made a 
new generation of Americans realize just how precious our freedoms 
really are. We owe our freedom fighters--past, present, and future--a 
debt of gratitude for their selflessness and sacrifice. I will continue 
to fight to ensure that our veterans get the benefits they were 
promised, the health care they deserve, and the recognition that our 
Nation owes them.
  I support passage of this resolution.




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