[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE 
                                 MONTH

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                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the month of 
November as Native American Indian Heritage Month, and to express my 
support for the Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 
2009.
  Over 562 Native American tribes have made extraordinary professional, 
educational, and cultural contributions to our community. After 
centuries of gross mistreatment at the hands of the U.S. government and 
generations of unequal, exploitative policies that have worked to 
effectively rob Native Americans of their land, culture, and 
livelihood, it is a privilege to honor the many accomplishments that 
these groups are making today. Their rich ancestry and surviving 
traditions are a living testament of the strength and unyielding spirit 
shared by many great tribal nations across this land, and their legacy 
will continue to be a major part of the ethnic fabric of American 
society.
  Since its inception in 1990, Native American Indian Heritage Month 
has sought to promote recognition for the significant contributions the 
first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United 
States, and increase awareness of the tragedies and discrimination 
these groups have experienced throughout history. This year's theme, 
Pride in Our Heritage, Honor to our Ancestors, reflects the importance 
of remembering the rich and diverse cultural legacy of our Native 
American communities.
  In the spirit of recognizing the longstanding social and economic 
inequalities facing Native American tribes, it is crucial that we take 
steps to ensure that Native American communities achieve equal access 
to public services, government funding, employment, business and 
educational opportunities. Individually and as distinct nations, Native 
Americans have made distinguished and significant achievements in the 
fields of agriculture, business, medicine, music, language, and art. I 
have every confidence that they will continue to distinguish themselves 
in those arenas as well as in government, as entrepreneurs, athletes, 
and scholars in the years and decades to come.
  As we proceed to strengthen America's economic and social 
infrastructure, it is imperative that we target existing inequalities 
and discriminatory policies and make an active, nationwide effort to 
include Native Americans in future programs through forward-thinking 
legislation, such as the Native American Business Development 
Enhancement Act of 2009.
  I strongly support H.R. 1834, the Native American Business 
Development Enhancement Act of 2009, which will be considered by the 
House today. This legislation, introduced by my colleague Rep. Ann 
Kirkpatrick, will establish the Office of Native American Affairs 
within the Small Business Administration. This effort will increase 
Native American entrepreneurship and engage tribes in the small 
business arena.
  In this vein, I have been working to further Native American business 
and economic development by supporting the elevation and funding of the 
Office of Native American Business Development, ONABD, at the 
Department of Commerce. I believe the ONABD should be more independent 
and receive an increase of funds in order to expand its activities, and 
fulfill its duties to expand business development, trade promotion and 
tourism opportunities for Native American tribes and their enterprises.
  In closing, Madam Speaker, celebrating Native American Indian 
Heritage Month and supporting our Native American community is an 
important milestone to increase public awareness of their role in 
American history and recognize their cultural legacies that enrich our 
everyday lives.

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