[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24226]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize National American 
Indian Heritage Month, an important celebration that acknowledges the 
tremendous contributions of native peoples to our Nation.
  In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution 
designating November 1990 ``National American Indian Heritage Month.'' 
The origins of this celebration, however, can be traced back to 1915, 
when the Annual Congress of the American Indian Association directed 
its president to call upon the Nation to observe a day honoring Native 
Americans. In 1916, New York became the first State to declare an 
official American Indian Day.
  Over the years, our Nation has moved toward a greater appreciation of 
the role of native peoples in American cultural, social, political, and 
economic life. This is reflected not only in the celebrations around 
the country associated with National American Indian Heritage Month, 
but also by the opening of the Museum of the American Indian as part of 
the Smithsonian Institution earlier this year.
  As we celebrate the rich heritage and continuing contributions of 
native peoples this month, it is also important to acknowledge the 
challenges that many native communities face today. As a member of the 
Indian Affairs Committee, I am all too familiar with these challenges, 
and I believe we must empower native communities so every member can 
reach his or her full potential. That means respecting the sovereignty 
of tribes, strengthening education, improving health care, and 
enhancing economic opportunities for native peoples.
  I look forward to working on these issues in the 109th Congress, and 
I hope my colleagues will join me in celebrating National American 
Indian Heritage Month.

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