[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18066]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 689--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. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. 
Crapo, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Tester, Mr. Franken, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Bingaman, 
Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Akaka, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Begich, Mr. 
Johnson, and Mr. Udall of Colorado) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 689

       Whereas from November 1, 2010, through November 30, 2010, 
     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 the United States Bureau of the Census estimated in 
     2009 that there were almost 5,000,000 individuals in the 
     United States of American Indian or Alaska Native descent;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives maintain 
     vibrant cultures and traditions, and hold a deeply rooted 
     sense of community;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have moving 
     stories of tragedy, triumph, and perseverance that need to be 
     shared with future generations;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives speak and 
     preserve indigenous languages, which have contributed to the 
     English language by being used as names of individuals and 
     locations throughout the United States;
       Whereas Congress has recently reaffirmed its support of 
     tribal self-governance and its commitment to improving the 
     lives of all Native Americans by enhancing health care 
     services, increasing law enforcement resources, and approving 
     settlements of litigation involving Indian tribes and the 
     United States;
       Whereas Congress is committed to improving the housing 
     conditions and socioeconomic status of American Indians and 
     Alaska Natives;
       Whereas the United States is committed to strengthening the 
     government-to-government relationship that it has maintained 
     with the various Indian Tribes;
       Whereas Congress has recognized 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 the system of checks and balances 
     between the branches of government;
       Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have served 
     with honor and distinction in the Armed Forces of the United 
     States, and continue to serve in the Armed Forces in greater 
     numbers per capita than any other group in the United States;
       Whereas the United States has recognized the contribution 
     of the Native American code talkers in World War I and World 
     War II, who used indigenous languages as an unbreakable 
     military code, saving countless Americans; and
       Whereas the people of the United States have reason to 
     honor the great achievements and contributions of American 
     Indians and Alaska Natives and their ancestors: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the month of November 2010 as National 
     American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month;
       (2) celebrates the heritage and culture of American Indians 
     and Alaska Natives and honors 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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