[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE PUYALLUP TRIBE AND THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE 2018 CANOE 
                                JOURNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 14, 2018

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Puyallup Tribe 
and all participants in the 2018 Canoe Journey.
  This annual journey began in 1989 with Native Americans providing a 
vital voice in shaping the State of Washington's centennial. Now, all 
these years later, tribes from Alaska all the way to Willapa Bay have 
participated in this powerful cultural event.
  Over the last few weeks, thousands of people from dozens of tribes 
put their canoes in the water and connected with one another. They 
participated in a celebration of heritage; sharing songs, stories, 
dances, and gifts.
  But, beyond that, they celebrated the theme of Honoring Our Medicine. 
They gathered to honor the medicine of the Salish Sea and the waters 
that have been the lifeblood of past generations and that will be the 
lifeblood of our future as long as we rise to their challenge.
  Mr. Speaker, Congressman Heck and I have stood on this floor many 
times and spoken about the importance of Puget Sound, our nation's 
largest estuary. The Sound is an icon of our region. It supports treaty 
rights and recreation. It supports shellfish growing and fisheries. 
It's a place where families--including my own--make memories. It is a 
legacy passed from generation to generation. It is a central part of 
who we are as Washingtonians. But this body of water--and others like 
it--are at risk. They are threatened.
  The tribes that participated in the Paddle--and Native American 
leaders throughout our region--have shown more commitment, more 
leadership, more drive, more partnership, and more passion for 
recovering this vital body of water than any other. They have seen our 
waters as sacred--as givers of life. They have recognized that these 
waters are a lifeforce. That they are gifts from the creator. They have 
recognized that our passion for this medicine cannot simply be based in 
nostalgia and tradition but, rather, must be grounded in a hope for the 
future.
  It is not enough for us to say thank you. We must back up those words 
with deeds. We must commit ourselves to protecting these waters and to 
preserving the majesty of our natural resources. We must recognize that 
our federal government must simply do better--on every day in every 
way--to value these treasures.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a saying that change is inevitable, but 
progress is optional. Too often, we have seen change that has not meant 
progress. Too often we have moved backward and jeopardized our 
lifeblood. We must do better.
  Mr. Speaker, today I want to express my gratitude to the Puyallup 
Tribe for hosting this important event and for all that they have done 
to strengthen our region for so long. And here in the United States 
Congress, I want to honor--and in the traditional custom, I want to 
raise my hands to--every person who participated in the paddle.

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