[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 200 (Wednesday, December 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S13866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIVE AMERICAN APOLOGY

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I wish today to discuss the Native 
American apology resolution that was recently passed as part of the 
fiscal year 2010 Defense appropriations bill.
  I believe that it is well known to most Members of this body that the 
original inhabitants of the lands that now constitute the United 
States, the aboriginal, indigenous, native people of America, occupied 
and exercised sovereignty over more than 550 million acres of land 
prior to the first European contact.
  In the early days of our history, well before our Nation was formed, 
the native people fought alongside our soldiers in the Revolutionary 
War. The Indian tribes enabled the survival of General George 
Washington and his troops during the harsh winter at Valley Forge by 
providing food to the troops.
  A few years later, as our Founding Fathers were engaged in the 
challenge of forming a new nation, they drew upon the democratic model 
of government that they learned from the Six Nations of the Iroquois 
Confederacy. There they found the well-institutionalized practice of 
the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and a system of 
governmental checks and balances provided through the separation of 
governmental powers.
  In our early days as a nation, we entered into treaties with Native 
Americans pursuant to the provisions of the U.S. Constitution that 
recognize them as sovereigns. But later, we abandoned the path of an 
honorable course of dealings, and turned to war. Thousands lost their 
lives through these battles and horrific massacres. The native 
population everywhere was decimated.
  Forced marches to relocate the native people from their traditional 
homelands to areas west of the Mississippi in the dead of winter cost 
thousands of more lives. Few Americans know that there was not one 
Trail of Tears--but many.
  The treaties could have signaled a return to a course of honorable 
dealings with the native people had the United States not proceeded to 
break provisions in every single one of the treaties that were ratified 
by the United States Senate.
  Amazingly, notwithstanding these appalling deeds, the native people 
of the United States have always been and continue to be staunchly 
patriotic and loyal to this country. They have volunteered to serve in 
the defense of our Nation in every military action and war in which we 
have been engaged and on a per capita basis, more Native Americans have 
put themselves in harm's way and given their lives to protect the 
United States than any other ethnic group of Americans. They have made 
the greatest sacrifice, but their contributions do not end there.
  We know that the native people of the United States have made 
significant contributions to our society in every walk of life, in 
every profession, in medicine and agriculture and as stewards of the 
lands and resources we all hold dear. There have been great men and 
women who have led their native nations out of war, poverty, and 
despair. Throughout the generations, they have shown us the true 
meaning of courage in the face of the greatest odds, and the quiet 
strength to persevere.
  This provision signifies a new day, brings a message of hope, and 
provides a foundation for the future.
  Mr. President, I would like to thank Senator Brownback for his 
leadership on this measure.

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