[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H10116-H10117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY ACT OF 2008

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 62) to honor the 
achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United 
States, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and 
concur in the Senate amendment.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The Clerk read the Senate amendment, as follows:

       Senate amendment:
       Strike out all after the resolving clause and insert:

     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;

[[Page H10117]]

       (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 SPEAKER pro tempore (during the reading). Without objection, the 
reading is dispensed with.
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the original request 
of the gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________