[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 22]
[House]
[Pages 31272-31273]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY ACT OF 2007

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 62) to honor the achievements and 
contributions of Native Americans to the United States, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The text of the joint resolution is as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 62

       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Heritage Day 
     Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal, 
     indigenous, native people who were the original inhabitants 
     of and who governed the lands that now constitute the United 
     States;
       (2) Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the 
     United States Armed Forces and have served with valor in all 
     of the Nation's military actions from the Revolutionary War 
     through the present day, and in most of those actions, more 
     Native Americans per capita served in the Armed Forces than 
     any other group of Americans;
       (3) Native American tribal governments developed the 
     fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of 
     governmental powers that were a model for those that form the 
     foundation of the United States Constitution;
       (4) the Founding Fathers based the provisions of the 
     Constitution on the unique system of democracy of the Six 
     Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, which divided powers 
     among the branches of government and provided for a system of 
     checks and balances;
       (5) Native Americans have made distinct and significant 
     contributions to the United States and the rest of the world 
     in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, 
     language, and art, and Native Americans have distinguished 
     themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, 
     and scholars;
       (6) Native Americans should be recognized for their 
     contributions to the United States as local and national 
     leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;
       (7) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native 
     Americans have made to the fabric of American society will 
     afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their 
     respect and admiration of Native Americans for their 
     important contributions to the political, cultural, and 
     economic life of the United States;
       (8) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native 
     Americans have made to the Nation will encourage self-esteem, 
     pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all ages;
       (9) designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving of 
     each year as Native American Heritage Day will underscore the 
     government-to-government relationship between the United 
     States and Native American governments;
       (10) designation of Native American Heritage Day will 
     encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the 
     United States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by 
     providing curricula and classroom instruction focusing on the 
     achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the 
     Nation; and
       (11) the Friday immediately succeeding Thanksgiving Day of 
     each year would be an appropriate day to designate as Native 
     American Heritage Day.

     SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF A NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY.

       (a) Development of Model Educational Curricula.--
     Educational institutions are encouraged to develop model 
     educational curricula, in consultation with Native American 
     governmental leaders, for purposes of recognizing a Native 
     American Heritage Day, emphasizing the contributions of 
     Native Americans to the United States and the world, 
     including--
       (1) the historical and constitutional status of Native 
     American tribal governments as well as the present day status 
     of Native Americans;
       (2) the cultures, traditions, and languages of Native 
     Americans; and
       (3) the rich Native American cultural legacy that all 
     Americans enjoy today.
       (b) Celebration of Native American Heritage Day.--Congress 
     encourages the people of the United States, as well as 
     Federal, State, and local governments and interested groups 
     and organizations to observe a Native American Heritage Day 
     with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kuhl) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may insert material relevant to H.J. Res. 62 into 
the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to Mr. Baca of California.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Bishop for allowing me to 
bring up this legislation.
  I rise today in support of establishing a tribute to Native Americans 
for their many contributions to the United States.
  My bill, H.J. Res. 62, encourages all Americans to recognize the 
Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.
  I want to thank Chairman George Miller, Ranking Member Don Young, 
Representatives Dale Kildee and Ruben Hinojosa for their continued 
support for this bill.
  Since my time in the California legislature, I've been a strong 
advocate to help preserve the legacy of Native Americans. It's 
important that we recognize their contributions to all aspects of our 
society, from our government to our language to history.
  My bill encourages public elementary and secondary schools to enhance 
student understanding of Native Americans. We need more classroom 
instruction to focus on the history, culture and achievements and 
traditions of Native Americans.
  Native Americans and their ancestors have played a critical role in 
the establishment of the freest country in the world. They have fought 
with valor and have died in every American war dating back to the 
Revolutionary War to the current wars. We in Congress must encourage 
greater awareness of the significant roles they have played in our 
national history.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I'm honored 
that Native Americans will be honored on this day.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 62, to 
honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the 
United States and for other purposes.
  The strength of our Nation comes from its people; and as the early 
inhabitants of this great land, the native peoples of North America 
played a unique role in shaping our Nation's history and culture.
  Native Americans are the descendants of the indigenous native people 
who were the original inhabitants and governors of the lands that now 
constitute the United States of America.

[[Page 31273]]

It was their tribal governments that developed the fundamental 
principles of freedom of speech and separation of powers. They're a 
model for those that formed the foundation of the United States 
Constitution.
  The Founding Fathers based the provision of the Constitution on the 
unique system of democracy of the six nations of the Iroquois 
Confederacy. The Iroquois divided powers amongst the branches of 
government and provided for a system of checks and balances.
  Native Americans have made a distinct and significant contribution to 
the United States and to the rest of the world in many fields, 
including agriculture, medicine, music, language, art, among other 
things. And Native Americans have distinguished themselves, as my 
friend Mr. Baca has noted, as inventors, as entrepreneurs, as spiritual 
leaders and scholars, among a few.
  Their unique spiritual, artistic and literary contributions, together 
with their vibrant customs and celebrations, enliven and enrich our 
land today. As we move into the 21st century, Native Americans will 
play a vital role in maintaining our Nation's strength and prosperity.
  Almost half of America's Native American tribal leaders have served 
in the United States Armed Forces, following in the footsteps of their 
forebears, who distinguished themselves during the world wars and the 
conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.
  Native Americans should be recognized for the contributions they have 
made to the fabric of our American society. This recognition will 
afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their respect 
and admiration of Native Americans for their important contributions to 
the political, the cultural, and the economic life of the United 
States.
  The designation of Native American Heritage Day will encourage public 
elementary and secondary schools in the United States to enhance 
Americans by providing curricula and classroom instruction focusing on 
the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the Nation, 
and the designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving of each year 
as Native American Heritage Day will underscore the government-to-
government relationship between the United States of America and Native 
American governments.
  On this day we should call on all Americans to learn more about the 
history and the heritage of the native peoples of this great land. Such 
actions reaffirm our appreciation and most certainly our respect for 
their traditions and their way of life, and can help to preserve an 
important part of our culture for generations yet to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I join my friend and colleague, Representative Baca, in 
supporting the resolution and ask my colleagues to do the same.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.J. Res. 62, the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2007. I 
commend my colleague Representative Baca for introducing this 
resolution and am honored to be an original cosponsor of the 
legislation. This is a much needed resolution that recognizes the vital 
contributions of Native Americans to the history of our Nation.
  I only need to acknowledge my own heritage to know that the steps to 
build the bridge of understanding and diplomacy with the Native 
Americans and other minorities have been inadequate in this country. 
This legislation proves that we live in a nation that is great for 
being able to reflect accurately and recognize the history of its own 
oppressed people.
  This bill considers the Friday after Thanksgiving as the appropriate 
day for the Native American Heritage Day. The timing for this day could 
not be more appropriate than during a weekend of celebration and giving 
thanks. It is only right that the original inhabitants of our nation be 
duly recognized in conjunction with this important celebration.
  Mr. Speaker, a specific day of recognition will allow future 
generations to appropriately recognize and admire Native Americans for 
their important contributions to all aspects of the American life. For 
too long, this assistance in the development of our nation has been 
overlooked.
  This day of heritage does not only exhibit proper respect for the 
indigenous people of our Nation, but paves the way for tremendous 
educational opportunities. The implementation of this bill would 
greatly increase awareness and respect for Native Americans through 
culturally competent incorporation of their historic contributions into 
our educational institutions. Taking such action is absolutely 
essential for our educational curriculum in order to develop 
progressive young people who can propel our society above intolerance.
  Mr. Speaker, there are numerous Congressional findings about the 
contributions and achievements that the Native Americans have made to 
the United States that have not been fully realized by the general 
public. Many aspects of our government, culture, and society have 
ultimately been derived from Native Americans. Their ideals of checks 
and balances, freedom of speech, and separation of governmental powers 
were essential to the foundation of our nation's policies. Native 
Americans have, and continue to contribute revolutionary advancements 
in many fields such as agriculture, medicine, and music just to name a 
few.
  Mr. Speaker, this formal recognition is long overdue. Native 
Americans of this country deserve such recognition without delay. It is 
absolutely necessary to set at least a moment in our way of life to 
acknowledge the roots of our democracy.
  I urge my colleagues to wholeheartedly support this resolution and 
other initiatives for the proper recognition of Native Americans.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire of my colleague 
from New York if he has any additional speakers.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. We have no further speakers. I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. I also yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 62.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the joint resolution was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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