[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17757-17758]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration en bloc of S. Res. 304, S. Res. 
305, S. Res. 306, S. Res. 307, and S. Res. 308.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolutions en bloc.


                              S. Res. 305

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, each November the President declares 
this month as National Native American Heritage Month and the Senate 
dedicates a resolution honoring the Nation's first Americans. As 
chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, it is my 
privilege to introduce this resolution. I am pleased to be joined by so 
many of my colleagues, including Senators Baldwin, Barrasso, Begich, 
Cochran, Crapo, Franken, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Heitkamp, Hirono, 
Hoeven, Johnson of South Dakota, Klobuchar, Markey, Merkley, Moran, 
Reid, Schatz, Tester, Thune, Udall of Colorado, Udall of New Mexico, 
Warner, and Wyden, in submitting this resolution.
  Since time immemorial, American Indians have occupied the lands we 
now know as the United States. To date, the Federal Government 
recognizes 566 distinct tribal nations across the country. While these 
Indian tribes share many attributes, each tribe is unique. The 
contributions American Indians have made to the foundation of the 
United States are significant and continue today. From influencing the 
documents that founded our Nation to serving in World War II as code 
talkers, American Indians have helped shape the face of our Nation. It 
is fitting that we are honoring the Code Talkers this week with a 
Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, as Native Americans have served in 
the military at a higher rate per capita than any other group in the 
country.
  Native American heroes played a significant role in World War II. 
Among them was Charles Chibitty of the Comanche Nation, who aided the 
successful landing at Normandy and the capture of an enemy flag in a 
French village, for which he was recognized by the French Government. 
The Code Talkers came from many tribes, including the Navajo, who 
played a crucial role in the Pacific. The Choctaw, Sioux, Assiniboine, 
Apache, Hopi, Mohawk and many other tribes gave this Nation their 
dedication, determination, and courage. They will never be forgotten.
  I am honored to represent the 29 tribes in my home State of 
Washington. Tribal culture is woven into the fabric of our State as a 
critical part of not only the State's history but also its modern-day 
economy and governance. In 2012, Washington State tribes purchased more 
than $2.4 billion in goods, paid $1.3 billion in wages, and spent $259 
million on construction activities. The tribes and the State are 
partners in virtually every aspect of governance, from natural resource 
management to tax collection.
  Many of the tribes in my State entered into agreements with the U.S. 
Government over the last two and a half centuries for cessions of land 
and natural resources. In exchange for these lands, the United States 
promised essential services to American Indians. As the trustee for 
Indian nations across the United States, the Federal Government has 
much work to do. I am encouraged by events like the Tribal

[[Page 17758]]

Nations Conference, which has been convened annually since the election 
of President Obama. While this is a step in the right direction, we 
must do more to ensure that our Indian communities are thriving.
  As we celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, I encourage 
my colleagues to take some time and think about the Federal 
Government's responsibilities to our first people. I ask my colleagues 
to support this resolution designating November 2013 as National Native 
American Heritage Month and November 29 of this year as Native American 
Heritage Day, and I encourage all Americans to recognize the important 
contributions American Indians have made to this great Nation.


                              S. Res. 308

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I applaud the Senate's adoption today of a 
resolution Senator Hatch and I submitted supporting the goals and 
ideals of runaway prevention month. It is a sad reality that millions 
of young people are living on the streets. We as legislators must do 
all we can to prevent homelessness and support youth who find 
themselves without a place to call home.
  Every child in America deserves a fair shot. This is why I championed 
the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, RHYA, reauthorization in 2008 and 
why I continue working to improve and to extend this important law this 
year. Under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, every State receives a 
basic center grant to provide housing and crisis services for children 
and their families. Community-based groups around the country can also 
apply for funding through the Transitional Living Program and the 
Street Outreach Program. These programs and others authorized by RHYA 
have helped countless runaway and homeless youth and their families in 
Vermont and across the Nation over the last 30 years. We must continue 
these essential programs, too many of which are now unfunded or 
underfunded due to sequestration and other fiscal constraints.
  We must recognize the importance of investing in our Nation's youth 
and direct resources where they are needed most. It is just not 
acceptable that homeless children are turned away from shelters due to 
a lack of beds or that services providers are being forced to downsize. 
We can and must do more.
  The RHYA's most recent charter expired at the end of September. I 
hope that we can work to reauthorize and improve this vital law by 
ensuring it meets the needs of children in our most vulnerable 
communities. Too often LGBT youth find themselves in need of shelter 
and support because their families are unaccepting. Programs authorized 
by RHYA should be trained to respond to LGBT youth and, when possible, 
strive to reunite them with their families through counseling. We must 
also update the statute to reflect the tragic reality that runaway and 
homeless youth are vulnerable to trafficking and sexual exploitation. 
We should ensure grantees are able to meet the needs of young victims 
of trafficking or exploitation or offer referrals to other qualified 
service providers. We need smarter training and more resources to help 
our grantees meet the needs of young victims, and that is exactly what 
the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act provides.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions 
be agreed to, the preambles, where applicable, be agreed to, and the 
motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, with no 
intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolutions were agreed to.
  The preambles were agreed to.
  (The resolutions, with their preambles, are printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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