[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 145 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 577--COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALASKA 
                         FEDERATION OF NATIVES

  Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Mr. Sullivan) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 577

       Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives was established as 
     the Alaska Federation of Native Associations at a historic 3-
     day meeting that began on October 18, 1966, which was the 
     99th anniversary of the transfer of Alaska from Russia to the 
     United States;
       Whereas the establishment of the Alaska Federation of 
     Natives as a statewide voice for the Alaska Native community 
     was necessary--
       (1) to achieve a united stand relating to the settlement of 
     Alaska Native land claims; and
       (2) to establish the Alaska Native community as a 
     significant political force in the State of Alaska;
       Whereas that 3-day initial meeting of the Alaska Federation 
     of Natives, which was largely funded by Chief Albert Kaloa, 
     Jr., of the Native Village of Tyonek, was--
       (1) chaired by Emil Notti, a 34-year-old Athabascan Indian 
     from Ruby, Alaska, who served as president of the Cook Inlet 
     Native Association; and
       (2) attended by approximately 250 individuals representing 
     17 Native Associations;
       Whereas the attendees of that first meeting of the Alaska 
     Federation of Natives unanimously adopted the recommendations 
     of a land claims committee chaired by Willie Hensley, 
     including 3 fundamental recommendations that--
       (1) a land freeze be imposed on the transfer of all Federal 
     land until Alaska Native land claims were resolved;
       (2) Congress enact legislation to enable settlement of the 
     Alaska Native land claims; and
       (3) the Federal Government engage in substantial 
     consultation with Alaska Natives, including holding 
     congressional hearings in the State of Alaska, before any 
     action was taken on Alaska Native land claims settlement 
     legislation;
       Whereas in early 1967, a second meeting of the Alaska 
     Federation of Natives was held at which--
       (1) the name of the organization was changed to the Alaska 
     Federation of Natives;
       (2) Flore Lekanof, an Aleut from St. George, Alaska, was 
     elected chairman; and
       (3) Emil Notti was elected president;
       Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives diligently pursued 
     legislation for the settlement of Alaska Native land claims, 
     assisted by eminent legal experts, including former Associate 
     Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Arthur J. 
     Goldberg and former Attorney General Ramsey Clark;
       Whereas in 1970, the Yakima Nation provided critical 
     financial support, in the form of a substantial loan to the 
     Alaska Federation of Natives, to the effort to settle Alaska 
     Native land claims;
       Whereas on December 18, 1971, with the enactment of the 
     Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), 
     the Alaska Federation of Natives achieved victory in its goal 
     of settling Alaska Native land claims;
       Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives led a successful 
     effort to enact the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
     Amendments of 1987 (43 U.S.C. 1601 note; Public Law 100-241) 
     (commonly known as the ``1991 Amendments''), which amended 
     the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et 
     seq.);
       Whereas for 50 years, the Alaska Federation of Natives has 
     effectively represented the interests of the Alaska Native 
     community on a broad range of significant issues, including 
     Alaska Native self-governance, subsistence, economic 
     development, human development, public safety, and the 
     interests of Alaska Native elders and Alaska Native youth;
       Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives continues to be 
     the principal forum and voice of Alaska Natives in dealing 
     with critical issues of public policy and government;
       Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives will conduct its 
     50th anniversary convention from October 20 through 22, 2016, 
     at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska;
       Whereas the Alaska Federation of Natives convention is the 
     largest representative annual gathering of Native peoples in 
     the United States and the largest convention in the State of 
     Alaska; and
       Whereas the theme of the Alaska Federation of Natives 2016 
     convention is ``50 Years: Reflect, Refresh, Renew'', which--
       (1) reflects on the challenges, innovations, and successes 
     of the Alaska Native community over the past 50 years;
       (2) refreshes collective accomplishments, achievements, and 
     aspirations; and
       (3) renews the commitment and dedication of the Alaska 
     Federation of Natives to enriching the future of Native 
     peoples: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the Alaska Federation of Natives on its 50th 
     anniversary;
       (2) commends the past and present officers, board members, 
     delegates, and staff of the Alaska Federation of Natives for 
     50 years of dedication to the advancement of the Native 
     peoples of the State of Alaska; and
       (3) congratulates the Alaska Federation of Natives on 50 
     years of enhancing and promoting the cultural, economic, and 
     political voice of the entire Alaska Native community.

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