[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        COMMEMORATING ARIZONA NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHT TO VOTE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor our Native 
American communities, 22 federally recognized Arizona tribal nations, 
representing more than 300,000 community members.
   On June 2, 1924, the United States Congress passed the Indian 
Citizenship Act which guaranteed certain citizenship rights to Native 
Americans, however in Arizona and other states that did not guarantee 
their right to vote.
   Yet, as early as 1863, before citizenship was granted, Pima and 
Maricopa warriors were serving in the United States Army protecting 
settlers in the Arizona territory.
   Additionally, while Arizona Native Americans were not considered 
citizens of the United States before World War I, more than 8,000 
Native Americans from Arizona served our country in the United States 
military during World War I.
   In 1928, Peter Porter, a Pima from the Gila River Indian Community, 
courageously filed the initial lawsuit to challenge the denial of 
Native Americans' right to vote. His efforts were denied by the Arizona 
Supreme Court. The Court argued that Native Americans were under 
federal guardianship.
   In 1940, this distinguished body passed the Nationality Act of 1940, 
reaffirming citizenship of Native Americans, inspiring more than 25,000 
Native Americans to serve our country in the United States military. 
Yet, they were still being denied the right to vote in Arizona.
   In 1947, two courageous Arizonans, Frank Harrison and Harry Austin, 
filed suit to overturn the 1928 Arizona Supreme Court decision which 
denied Native Americans the right to vote. The acts of these men, both 
members of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, a community that I am 
honored to serve and represent in the United States Congress, won the 
landmark case. On July 15, 1948, the 1928 court ruling was overturned 
and Arizona's Native Americans confirmed their right to vote.
   Tuesday, July 15, 2008, is Arizona Native American Right to Vote 
Day. It is on this day that we celebrate the 60th anniversary of this 
pivotal moment in the recognition of the rights of our Native American 
citizens. Their patriotic actions set an example for all who see 
injustice and fight to overcome it, and I am proud to call the people 
of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation my constituents.
   It is with a great deal of pride that I rise today to honor our 
Arizona Native American community. It is also with great resolve that I 
reaffirm my commitment to our Native people, honor their sovereignty 
and urge the United States Congress to honor all commitments to our 
Native American Tribal Nations.

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