[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16946-16947]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, this month, we commemorate Native American 
Heritage Month. It is an important opportunity to recognize the 
exceptional achievements and contributions of those in the Native 
American community. They are an integral part of this country's 
history, which has been both proud and painful. It is important to stop 
and reflect on how we as a nation can learn from the past and plan for 
our shared future as fellow Americans.
  It is fitting that in this month we also celebrate Veterans Day. For 
over 200 years, Native Americans, including American Indians, Alaska 
Natives, and Native Hawaiians, have served honorably and with 
distinction in the U.S. Armed Forces. Native Americans have served in 
every conflict since the Revolutionary War and contribute in 
disproportionately high numbers to our Nation's defense. No group of 
Americans has a higher per capita service rate in the military than 
Native Americans.

[[Page 16947]]

  One of the most unique and extraordinary contributions was by the 
``Code Talkers'' during both world wars. Using codes based on their 
distinct languages, these Native American soldiers transmitted orders 
and communications to troops and allies, which were indecipherable to 
our enemies. Later this month, 33 tribes will be recognized with 
Congressional Gold Medals to celebrate this significant contribution 
during the Second World War. This recognition is both historic and 
overdue.
  Throughout the military history of the United States, Native 
Americans have served bravely and honorably. We are grateful to these 
soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen for their tradition of 
unwavering patriotism.
  As we celebrate Native American contributions to our country, we must 
also examine the unique struggles faced by these communities and work 
together to find solutions. I am proud of the significant steps we took 
earlier this year to confront the long-ignored epidemic of violence 
against Native women through reauthorization of the Violence Against 
Women Act, a bill I authored with Senator Crapo. Nearly three out of 
five Indian women have been assaulted by their spouses or intimate 
partners. On some reservations, Native American women are murdered at a 
rate more than 10 times the national average. Those statistics are 
chilling. Native women are being brutalized and killed at rates that 
simply shock the conscience.
  The Violence Against Women Reauthorization of 2013 addresses this 
problem directly and provides landmark protections for Native American 
women. These include expanding the jurisdiction of tribal courts in 
several ways. First, the law clarifies that tribal courts have the 
authority to issue and enforce tribal protection orders, a tool that is 
necessary to stop the escalation of violence. Second, and perhaps most 
importantly, it recognizes the jurisdiction of tribal courts to 
prosecute non-Indians who abuse Native women on tribal lands.
  More than 50 percent of Native American women are married to non-
Native American men. Before the Violence Against Women Act was 
reauthorized this year, tribal courts were unable to prosecute these 
men if they committed acts of domestic abuse. The Federal authorities 
who had jurisdiction were often hours away from tribal lands and ill-
equipped to prosecute these crimes. As a result, countless victims were 
left without protection and offenders were allowed to prey upon women 
with impunity. As a former prosecutor, I was appalled, and I am proud 
that we fixed this glaring problem with the enactment of these historic 
changes.
  Beyond resolving jurisdictional issues, VAWA improved the grant 
making process to Indian tribal coalitions to ensure tribes are better 
able to respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, 
and stalking. It creates new Federal crimes with tougher penalties for 
offenses often committed against Native American women and encourages 
greater cooperation between the Federal Government and tribal 
governments.
  The success of VAWA, and the inclusion of these historic provisions, 
was the result of years of careful investigation and creative problem 
solving. We worked closely with tribal leaders and the National 
Congress of American Indians and in close consultation with the Indian 
Affairs Committee. I would like to thank the former chairman of that 
committee, Senator Daniel Akaka, and current chairwoman Maria Cantwell 
for their cooperation and persistence on these important measures.
  Another area of law critical to the protection of civil rights for 
Native Americans is the Voting Rights Act. I am working hard with 
members from both sides of the aisle to restore the vital protections 
of this landmark law, undermined by the Supreme Court's recent decision 
in Shelby County v. Holder.
  The Voting Rights Act is the most successful piece of civil rights 
legislation in this Nation's history. It has worked to protect the 
Constitution's guarantees against racial discrimination in voting for 
nearly five decades. It has helped minorities of all races--including 
Native Americans--overcome major barriers to participation in the 
political process. For example, in 2008, in Charles Mix County, SD, the 
Department of Justice found evidence of discriminatory intent by the 
officials of the county, who had attempted to dilute the voting 
strength of Native Americans. The Voting Rights Act prevented these 
discriminatory actions from taking place. It is imperative that we 
reinvigorate and restore these protections.
  In addition to our legislative efforts, we are also making strides in 
confirming Native American judges to our Federal courts. President 
Obama nominated Diane J. Humetewa, a Native American woman, to serve on 
the U.S. district court for Arizona on September 19, 2013. Humetewa, a 
member of the Hopi Tribe, was the U.S. attorney in Arizona between 2007 
and 2009, a position to which she was nominated by former President 
George W. Bush at the urging of Senator John McCain. If the Senate 
confirms her nomination, she would become the only active member of a 
Native American tribe to serve in the Federal judiciary and the first 
Native American woman ever to serve on the Federal bench.
  This month, let us celebrate the Native American contributions that 
make this Nation better and stronger. And let us renew our commitment 
to work together with leaders of these sovereign nations to address 
ongoing challenges to ensure that all who live in this great country 
are afforded the respect, dignity and opportunities they deserve.

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