[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY ACT OF 2008

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 926, H.J. Res. 62; that 
the committee amendment be agreed to, the resolution be read the third 
time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senate proceeded to consider the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 62) 
to honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the 
United States, and for other purposes, which had been reported from the 
Committee on Indian Affairs, with an amendment to strike all after the 
enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Heritage Day 
     Act of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal, 
     indigenous, native people who were the original inhabitants 
     of the United States;
       (2) 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;
       (3) 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;
       (4) Native Americans should be recognized for their 
     contributions to the United States as local and national 
     leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;
       (5) 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;
       (6) 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;
       (7) designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving of 
     each year as Native American Heritage Day will underscore the 
     government-to-government relationship between the United 
     States and Native American governments; and
       (8) 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.

     SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY.

       Congress--
       (1) designates Friday, November 28, 2008, 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 relating to--
       (A) the historical 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.

  The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the joint resolution to 
be read a third time.
  The joint resolution (H.J. Res. 62) was read the third time, and 
passed.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to applaud the passage of 
the resolution congratulating the University of Maryland School of 
Medicine on its 200th anniversary. I am proud to introduce this 
resolution that recognizes the outstanding contributions the University 
of Maryland School of Medicine has made in the last 200 years to the 
medical community, Maryland community, and entire world.
  The University of Maryland School of Medicine is the first public 
medical school in the country and is the fifth oldest medical school. 
Since 1789, it has been a leader in medical education--the first 
medical school in the country to build a teaching hospital for clinical 
instruction, the first to establish a medical library, and the first 
school to offer courses in preventive medicine.
  Today, the University of Maryland School of Medicine is home to 25 
academic departments, 7 research centers, and treats over 1 million 
patients a year. I commend the contributions the school has made over 
the past 200 years. I know the University of Maryland School of 
Medicine will continue to blaze trails in the future as a leader in 
medical research, patient care, education, and community service.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution 
that commemorates the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign. I am honored to again 
seek the Senate's continuing support and recognition of Red Ribbon 
Week, which is October 23 through October 31.
  In 1985, Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena of the Drug 
Enforcement Administration was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in the 
line of duty by drug traffickers. Shortly after Agent Camarena's death, 
Congressman Duncan Hunter and high school friend Henry Lozano launched 
``Camarena Clubs'' in the Agent's hometown of Calexico, CA. In honor of 
Agent Camarena, hundreds of club members wore red ribbons and pledged 
to lead drug-free lives. The campaign quickly gained statewide and then 
national prominence. In 1988, what is now the National Family 
Partnership organized the first National Red Ribbon Week, an 8-day 
event proclaimed by the Congress and chaired by then President and Mrs. 
Reagan.
  This campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program 
in the Nation, reaching millions of youth through Red Ribbon Week 
events. Red Ribbon Week memorializes Agent Camarena, and all those who 
have lost their lives in the war on drugs, by educating young people 
about the dangers of drug abuse, promoting drug-free activities, and 
supporting everyone who has stood strong against illicit drugs. The Red 
Ribbon that we will wear during Red Ribbon Week is a symbol of zero 
tolerance for illegal drug use and our commitment to help people, 
especially children, make the right life-decisions.
  In Alaska, Red Ribbon Week is a statewide celebration involving 
thousands of school children and other supporters. On October 27, the 
Alaska Red Ribbon Coalition, in conjunction with the municipality of 
Anchorage, will host a Red Ribbon Week kickoff. The Red Ribbon 
Coalition is comprised of the Anchorage School District, the Alaska 
State Troopers, the Anchorage Police Department, the U.S. Drug 
Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Forty-
three Boys & Girls Clubs across Alaska will help other Alaskan 
communities celebrate Red Ribbon Week throughout the State.
  In addition, this year, the Red Ribbon Coalition, the Alaska National 
Guard, and the Iditarod Trail Committee are sponsoring the first ever 
Anchorage School District Idol whereby every junior high and high 
school in Anchorage will hold local talent competitions and select one 
act to move to a final competition. The acts will be judged based, 
among other things, on their drug-free themes, and the final 
competition will be held as part of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race 
festivities in March 2009. The plan is to broadcast the event to the 
students in all 50 States and across the globe who participate in the 
Iditarod Education Program, thus extending the reach of the 2008 Red 
Ribbon Week into 2009, and sharing Anchorage's Red Ribbon Week antidrug 
message and celebrations with the Nation and the world.
  As we stand together against drugs, I thank my colleagues for joining 
me in what hopefully will be a continuation of the tradition of 
congressional support and recognition of Red Ribbon Week.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Minnesota is recognized.

                          ____________________