[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22683]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORT THE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE ACT OF 2008

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I support H. J. Res. 62, the Native American 
Heritage Day Act of 2008, which I authored. This bill will help pay 
tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United 
States by encouraging all Americans to recognize the Friday after 
Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.
  I thank Senator Daniel Inouye, Speaker  Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader 
Steny Hoyer, Chairman George Miller, Representative Dale Kildee, and 
the NIGA for their help on this bill.
  I have been a strong advocate for Native Americans and have fought 
hard to preserve their heritage for the past 8 years that I have served 
in Congress and since my time in the California legislature.
  It is important that we recognize the contributions of Native 
Americans in all aspects of our society, including government, language 
and history. We must not forget that Native Americans have fought with 
valor in every American war, dating back to the Revolutionary War.
  My bill encourages public schools to teach Native American history 
and culture.
  I also want to thank Tribal Chairman James Ramos of the San Manuel 
Tribe for helping us create this bill. This bill represents the first 
time in history that Congress is recognizing the great achievements of 
Native Americans in this manner.
  I thank my colleagues for supporting this legislation.

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