[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, every November, the Senate observes Native 
American Heritage Month to recognize the contributions of American 
Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians to the United States.
  Today, the promise of Native achievement burns brighter than ever. 
Just a few months ago, Joy Harjo, a member of the Muscogee Creek 
Nation, became the Nation's 23rd Poet Laureate. The first Native 
American appointed to the laureateship in the history of the Library of 
Congress, Ms. Harjo is an inspiration to the next generation of Native 
American writers, poets, and artists to share their diverse and 
powerful voices with the world.
  In this spirit, I am proud to have worked with Ms. Harjo, the Library 
of Congress, the Institute of American Indian Arts, and the Boys and 
Girls Club of America to host an exhibition of Native student poetry in 
the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building this month. The 
display showcases Ms. Harjo's poetry alongside original works written 
by Autumn Abeyta, Ambrosia Morning Gun, Jewel Palmer, Paige Hannan, 
Lindsey Toya-Tosa, Delaney Keshena, and Rebekkah Autaubo--Native 
students attending schools in my home state of New Mexico and 
representing Tribes in New Mexico, Montana, New York, Wisconsin, and 
Oklahoma.
  This year's inaugural exhibit represents the countless ways Native 
peoples have harnessed their strength, resilience, and unique 
perspectives to shape nearly every facet of our national identity.
  As the vice chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, I work every 
day to achieve Indian Country's priorities and uphold the Federal 
Government's trust and treaty responsibilities to Indian Country. I 
hope this month will serve as an opportunity for this entire body to 
reexamine how we can strengthen our commitment to Native peoples and 
recommit to our shared responsibilities.

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