[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 11, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 400--TO DESIGNATE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2007, AS 
   ``NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY'' IN HONOR OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND 
         CONTRIBUTIONS OF NATIVE AMERICANS TO THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. INOUYE (for himself, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Bingaman, 
Mrs. Clinton, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Conrad, Mr. 
Domenici, Mr. Akaka, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Stevens, Mr. 
Baucus, and Mr. Tester) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 400

       Whereas Native Americans are the descendants of the 
     aboriginal, indigenous, native people who were the original 
     inhabitants of and who governed the lands that now constitute 
     the United States;
       Whereas Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the 
     United States Armed Forces and have served with valor in all 
     of the Nation's military actions from the Revolutionary War 
     through the present day, and in most of those actions, more 
     Native Americans per capita served in the Armed Forces than 
     any other group of Americans;
       Whereas Native American tribal governments developed the 
     fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of 
     governmental powers that were a model for those that form the 
     foundation of the United States Constitution;
       Whereas the Founding Fathers based the provisions of the 
     Constitution on the unique system of democracy of the Six 
     Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, which divided powers 
     among the branches of government and provided for a system of 
     checks and balances;
       Whereas Native Americans have made distinct and significant 
     contributions to the United States and the rest of the world 
     in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, 
     language, and art, and Native Americans have distinguished 
     themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, 
     and scholars;
       Whereas Native Americans should be recognized for their 
     contributions to the United States as local and national 
     leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;
       Whereas nationwide recognition of the contributions that 
     Native Americans have made to the fabric of American society 
     will afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate 
     their respect and admiration of Native Americans for their 
     important contributions to the political, cultural, and 
     economic life of the United States;
       Whereas nationwide recognition of the contributions that 
     Native Americans have made to the Nation will encourage self-
     esteem, pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all 
     ages;
       Whereas designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving as 
     Native American Heritage Day will underscore the government-
     to-government relationship between the United States and 
     Native American governments; and
       Whereas designation of Native American Heritage Day will 
     encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the 
     United States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by 
     providing curricula and classroom instruction focusing on the 
     achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the 
     Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the Senate--
       (1) designates Friday, November 23, 2007, as ``Native 
     American Heritage Day''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States, as well as 
     Federal, State, and local governments and interested groups 
     and organizations to observe Native American Heritage Day 
     with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, 
     including activities related to--
       (A) the historical and constitutional status of Native 
     American tribal governments as well as the present day status 
     of Native Americans;
       (B) the cultures, traditions, and languages of Native 
     Americans; and
       (C) the rich Native American cultural legacy that all 
     Americans enjoy today.

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