    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2025)]
    [Senate]
    [Page S1316]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      SENATE RESOLUTION 92--DESIGNATING FEBRUARY 16, 2025, AS ``NATIONAL
                          ELIZABETH PERATROVICH DAY''

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

                                   S. Res. 92

           Whereas Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich, Tlingit, was a
         member of the Lukaax.adi clan in the Raven moiety with the
         Tlingit name of Kaaxgal.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, 2025, 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.

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