[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 18788]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, this week marks a monumental event in our 
national history. We celebrate the opening of the National Museum of 
the American Indian. We celebrate the Native American culture, 
tradition, and rich heritage that they have contributed to this great 
Nation.
  This is a great tribute to the first Americans. We must not stop 
here. We must do more. We must do more to ensure that we honor our 
government's trust responsibility and protect tribal sovereignty.
  I have stood by Native Americans and fought for their sovereignty 
since I was first elected to the assembly in California.
  We must do more to provide tribes with resources to fulfill their 
basic needs. Tribes receive only about one-third of the money they need 
for vital programs. This is unacceptable.
  We must do more to end the health disparities for Native Americans
  We must do more to protect Native American lands.
  Government entities must work together to meet the needs of Native 
Americans, making a brighter future for all of our people.
  Native Americans must be treated with the respect they deserve.
  That is why I have introduced H. Res. 167 to create a federally 
recognized holiday for Native Americans and instruct schools to teach 
about Native Americans, the role they have in our American history.
  Let us remember our Native Americans who have made a great 
contribution to this Nation and this country.

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