[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5006-S5007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 900--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE 
    SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER 2026 AS ``INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY'' TO 
  CELEBRATE AND HONOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND THEIR SHARED HISTORY AND 
                                CULTURE

  Mr. HEINRICH (for himself, Mr. Lujan, Mr. King, Mr. Sanders, Ms. 
Warren, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Smith, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. 
Kaine, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. 
Booker) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Indian Affairs:

                              S. Res. 900

       Whereas currently over 200 municipalities, 17 States, and 
     the District of Columbia celebrate or recognize ``Indigenous 
     Peoples' Day'' on the second Monday of October;
       Whereas Columbus Day is a Federal holiday, established by 
     Congress in 1968 (by the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for 
     uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays 
     on Mondays, and for other purposes'', approved June 28, 1968 
     (82 Stat. 250)), and is officially recognized by some cities 
     and States around the United States on the second Monday of 
     October;
       Whereas Columbus Day does not currently provide an 
     opportunity to reflect on the stories and perseverance of the 
     Indigenous Peoples of the lands that are now part of the 
     United States;
       Whereas, prior to Western contact, Indigenous Peoples lived 
     and flourished in the lands that are now part of the United 
     States for thousands of years;
       Whereas Western contact with the lands that are now part of 
     the United States led to the suppression, forced 
     assimilation, and genocide of Indigenous Peoples and their 
     cultures;
       Whereas the Senate recognizes and values the vast 
     contributions made to the United States by Indigenous 
     Peoples' knowledge, science, philosophy, arts, and culture;
       Whereas the Senate recognizes its responsibility to honor 
     the history, traditions, and cultural contributions of the 
     Indigenous Peoples of the United States; and
       Whereas the second Monday in October 2026 would be an 
     appropriate date to designate as ``Indigenous Peoples' Day'': 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors and recognizes the unique contributions 
     Indigenous Peoples have made to the United States of America;
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     ``Indigenous Peoples' Day''

[[Page S5007]]

     with appropriate ceremonies and activities that celebrate and 
     promote awareness of Indigenous Peoples and their shared 
     history and culture; and
       (3) supports the official designation of ``Indigenous 
     Peoples' Day'' as a Federal holiday.

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