[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 135 (Tuesday, August 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE VITALIZATION ACT

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                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                    of the northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 13, 2019

  Mr. SABLAN. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce the Native American 
Language Vitalization Act, which would help preserve the indigenous 
languages of the United States through grants to postsecondary 
institutions to support Native American language education programs and 
the pipeline of language instructors.
  Native American languages are part of our nation's cultural heritage 
and are as diverse as the rich cultures of American Indians, Alaska 
Natives, Native Hawaiians and the Native peoples of the Pacific U.S. 
territories. Over the course of our nation's history, Native Americans 
have faced discrimination and government policies that restricted or 
banned the use of their indigenous languages. These policies have 
contributed to the decline in speakers of Native American languages. 
Without action, many of these languages, from Chamorro to Refaluwasch 
to Cherokee, are at risk of disappearing. Congress recognized this 
urgency in passing the Esther Martinez Act in 2006 to strengthen Native 
American language immersion programs. However, we must do more at the 
postsecondary level so that future generations have the programs and 
quality instructors necessary to not only preserve but increase the use 
of their ancestral languages.
  The Native American Language Vitalization Act invests in indigenous 
language education by creating a dedicated grant program under the 
Higher Education Act to provide the resources Native-serving colleges 
and universities need to develop or strengthen their indigenous 
language programs. Schools can use the grant to provide in-service 
training for language teachers, develop curriculum, professional 
development of faculty, and create innovative programs, including 
language immersion. Eligible institutions can also partner with other 
organizations to reach students in early childhood education programs 
through grade 12.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to help preserve the 
indigenous languages of the United States for future generations.

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