[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 123 (Thursday, September 13, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA:
  S. 3548. A bill to clarify certain provisions of the Native American 
Veterans Memorial Establishment Act of 1994; to the Committee on Indian 
Affairs.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, as Chairman of the Committee on Indian 
Affairs, I am introducing legislation to make technical corrections to 
the National Native American Veterans' Memorial Act of 1994.
  The 1994 Act honors the profound contributions of Native Veterans by 
authorizing the construction of a National Native American Veterans' 
Memorial. Unfortunately, technical issues with the law have made it 
difficult to move forward with the Memorial. The bill I am introducing 
today seeks to alleviate those obstacles.
  My legislation would make technical corrections in order to allow the 
National Museum of American Indian to join the National Congress of 
American Indians in the fundraising efforts for the Memorial. In 
addition, my bill would allow the Memorial to be constructed on the 
property provided for by the National Museum of American Indian Act.
  Per capita, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians 
serve at a higher rate in the Armed Forces than any other group of 
Americans. Native peoples have served in all of the Nation's wars since 
the Revolutionary War. A memorial in their honor is well-deserved and 
long overdue.
  My non-controversial, no cost, technical amendments bill will make it 
easier to construct the authorized memorial to honor our Native 
Veterans.

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