[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26531]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      WELCOMING AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES TO WASHINGTON

  (Ms. McCOLLUM asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the many American 
Indians and Alaska Natives who are here in Washington to address the 
needs of Indian Country. For the first time, leaders from the 564 
federally recognized tribes will interact directly with the President 
and Cabinet members in the first annual White House Tribal Nations 
Conference.
  President Obama, the administration officials, and many Members of 
Congress are engaging tribal leaders in an unprecedented conversation 
to hear firsthand about the needs and opportunities facing Indian 
communities and families.
  Tribal leaders are also here to commemorate the historic opening 
today of the Embassy of Tribal Nations' permanent home in our Nation's 
Capital for their family of sovereign tribal governments.
  Migwetch--thank you--as we would say in Minnesota. Thank you to all 
the tribes who are here to participate and work on Indian issues 
together.

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