[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 195 (Saturday, December 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S8782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING THE ALASKA NATIVE PEOPLE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 351.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 351) recognizing the accomplishments 
     and commemorating the numerous achievements and contributions 
     of the Alaska Native people over the past 40 years.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 351) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 351

       Whereas on December 18, 1971, Public Law 92-203 (43 U.S.C. 
     1601 et seq.) was enacted to settle long-standing issues of 
     Alaska Native aboriginal land claims;
       Whereas the pioneering work of Alaska Native leaders has 
     created a lasting legacy of professional and personal 
     success;
       Whereas Alaska Native people have prospered from their own 
     initiative and innovative approaches to fostering economic 
     development through self-determination;
       Whereas Alaska Natives have produced a significant number 
     of educated Alaska Natives who now serve in positions of 
     leadership in the State of Alaska and beyond;
       Whereas Alaska Native people have risen to the challenge of 
     independently and productively managing their aboriginal 
     land, which has fostered sustainable businesses and created 
     employment opportunities for the people of the United States, 
     both across the country and globally;
       Whereas Alaska Native people continue to serve in positions 
     of leadership in the State of Alaska and beyond;
       Whereas the dedication and enthusiasm of the next 
     generation of Alaska Native leaders honors the previous 
     generation of Alaska Native leaders who worked diligently to 
     achieve the most significant Native land settlement in the 
     history of the United States;
       Whereas the next generation of Alaska Native people will 
     continue to make positive changes in the world around them 
     through acquired leadership skills, cultural advocacy, and 
     community engagement;
       Whereas the people of the United States have reason to 
     commemorate the economic and political contributions of 
     Alaska Native people; and
       Whereas the people of the United States have reason to 
     honor the tremendous educational, social, political, 
     economic, and cultural achievements of the Alaska Native 
     people over the past 40 years: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes December 18, 2011, as the 40th anniversary 
     of the original enactment of the Alaska Native Claims 
     Settlement Act (Public Law 92-203; 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.);
       (2) recognizes the significant educational, economic, 
     political, and cultural contributions of the Alaska Native 
     people over the past 40 years; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to 
     participate in activities that show support for the success 
     of the Native people and tribes of the State of Alaska.

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