[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Page 26889]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 342--RECOGNIZING NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA 
   NATIVE HERITAGE MONTH AND CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF 
 AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICAN 
            INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES TO THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. DORGAN (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Begich, Mr. 
Bingaman, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Franken, Mr. 
Johnson, Mr. McCain, Mr. Merkley, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
Tester, Mr. Thune, Mr. Udall of Colorado, and Mr. Udall of New Mexico) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 342

       Whereas from November 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009, 
     the United States celebrates National American Indian and 
     Alaska Native Heritage Month;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are descendants 
     of the original, indigenous inhabitants of what is now the 
     United States;
       Whereas, in 2000, the United States Census Bureau reported 
     that there were more than 4,000,000 people in the United 
     States of American Indian and Alaska Native descent;
       Whereas, on December 2, 1989, the Committee on Indian 
     Affairs of the Senate held a hearing exploring the 
     contributions of the Iroquois Confederacy, and its influence 
     on the Founding Fathers in the drafting of the Constitution 
     of the United States with the concepts of freedom of speech, 
     the separation of governmental powers, and checks and 
     balances among the branches of government;
       Whereas the Senate has reaffirmed that a major national 
     goal of the United States is to provide the resources, 
     processes, and structure that will enable Indian Tribes and 
     tribal members to obtain the quantity and quality of health 
     care services and opportunities that will eliminate the 
     health disparities between American Indians and the general 
     population of the United States;
       Whereas Congress recently reaffirmed its trust 
     responsibility to improve the housing conditions and 
     socioeconomic status of American Indians and Alaska Natives 
     by providing affordable homes in a safe and healthy 
     environment;
       Whereas, throughout its course of dealing with Indian 
     Tribes, the United States Government has engaged in a 
     government-to-government relationship with Tribes;
       Whereas the United States Government owes a trust 
     obligation to Tribes, acknowledged in treaties, statutes, and 
     decisions of the Supreme Court, to protect the interests and 
     welfare of tribal governments and their members;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have 
     consistently served with honor and distinction in the Armed 
     Forces of the United States, some as early as the 
     Revolutionary War, and continue to serve in the Armed Forces 
     in greater numbers per capita than any other group in the 
     United States;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives speak and 
     preserve indigenous languages and have contributed hundreds 
     of words to the English language, including the names of 
     people and locations in the United States;
       Whereas Congress has recognized Native American code 
     talkers who served with honor and distinction in World War I 
     and World War II, using indigenous languages as an 
     unbreakable military code, saving countless American lives;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are deeply 
     rooted in tradition and culture, which drives their strength 
     of community; and
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages 
     celebrate the great achievements of their ancestors and 
     heroes and continue to share their stories with future 
     generations: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the celebration of National American Indian 
     and Alaska Native Heritage Month during the month of November 
     2009;
       (2) honors the heritage and culture of American Indians and 
     Alaska Natives and the contributions of American Indians and 
     Alaska Natives to the United States; and
       (3) urges the people of the United States to observe 
     National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month 
     with appropriate programs and activities.

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