[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 27 (Monday, February 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 561--DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 16, 2024, AS ``NATIONAL 
                      ELIZABETH PERATROVICH DAY''

  Mr. SULLIVAN (for himself and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 561

       Whereas Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich, Tlingit, was a 
     member of the Lukaax__.adi clan in the Raven moiety with the 
     Tlingit name of __aax__gal.aat (referred to in this preamble 
     as ``Elizabeth'') who fought for social equality, civil 
     liberties, and respect for Alaska Native and Native American 
     communities;
       Whereas Elizabeth, who was born in 1911 in Petersburg, 
     Alaska, experienced discrimination as a Tlingit woman, and 
     dedicated her life to creating a better future for Alaska 
     Natives;
       Whereas, more than 6,000 patriotic Alaska Natives protected 
     the United States alongside non-Native Servicemen and women 
     during World War II, despite suffering from unjust 
     discrimination;
       Whereas, in 1941, Elizabeth and her husband, Roy 
     Peratrovich, moved to Juneau, the capital city of Alaska, to 
     campaign tirelessly for the passage of the anti-
     discrimination legislation of Ernest Gruening, the Governor 
     of Alaska, which would later result in the passage of the 
     Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945;
       Whereas, in campaigning for the passage of anti-
     discrimination legislation, Elizabeth persevered for several 
     years traveling across the Alaska Territory enabling, 
     rallying, and uniting Alaska Natives to fight for recognition 
     that they are created equal to others and equally endowed 
     with ``unalienable Rights'';
       Whereas Elizabeth was a powerful orator who envisioned 
     unity and then spoke it into existence through community 
     advocacy and the support of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and 
     the Alaska Native Sisterhood;
       Whereas Elizabeth testified strongly before the Alaska 
     Territorial legislature vote on the Anti-Discrimination Act 
     of 1945, passionately asking the legislature, ``Have you 
     eliminated larceny or murder by passing a law against it? No 
     law will eliminate crimes but, at least you as legislators, 
     can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of the 
     present situation and speak your intent to help us overcome 
     discrimination.'';
       Whereas the Alaska Territorial Legislature passed the Anti-
     Discrimination Act of 1945 on February 16, 1945, which was 
     the first anti-discrimination law enacted in the history of 
     the United States;
       Whereas Elizabeth dedicated the rest of her life to 
     creating a better Alaska for future generations;
       Whereas Elizabeth tragically died of cancer in 1958, but 
     her legacy has not been forgotten;
       Whereas, beginning in 1988, the State of Alaska has 
     recognized February 16 as Elizabeth Peratrovich Day; and
       Whereas, in 2020, the United States Mint released the 
     Elizabeth Peratrovich $1 coin to commemorate the significant 
     impact that Elizabeth had on advancing equality under the law 
     in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates February 16, 2024, as ``National Elizabeth 
     Peratrovich Day'';
       (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
     National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day by remembering the work of 
     Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich and other civil rights 
     leaders; and
       (3) encourages the people of the United States and Members 
     of Congress to commemorate the life and civil rights advocacy 
     of Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich by continuing the 
     important work of ensuring equality for Alaska Natives and 
     Native Americans.

                          ____________________