[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 6, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67773-67774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28433]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 6, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 67773]]


                Proclamation 7620 of November 1, 2002

                
National American Indian Heritage Month, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During American Indian Heritage Month, we celebrate the 
                rich cultural traditions and proud ancestry of American 
                Indians and Alaska Natives, and we recognize the vital 
                contributions these groups have made to the strength 
                and diversity of our society.

                American Indians and Alaska Natives have played a 
                central role in our history. In 1805 and 1806, 
                Sakajawea, a Shoshone Indian woman, helped guide Lewis 
                and Clark on their historic expedition to explore the 
                uncharted West. This remarkable journey, known as the 
                ``Voyage of Discovery,'' would not have been possible 
                without her efforts, and today she remains a proud 
                symbol of American Indian courage and strength.

                We are also grateful to the Navajo Codetalkers for 
                their service during World War II. Participating in 
                every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific 
                from 1942-1945, the Navajo Codetalkers relayed secret 
                messages that helped our Nation and the allies secure 
                victory. The Congress recognized these heroes by 
                authorizing the President to award them Congressional 
                Gold Medals, which I was honored to present last year. 
                These examples of our true American spirit reflect our 
                shared history and serve as reminders of the unique 
                heritage of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Upon 
                its completion on the National Mall, the Smithsonian 
                Institution's National Museum of the American Indian 
                will help educate all Americans about the lives, 
                contributions, and culture of our Native peoples.

                Education is essential to the future success of tribal 
                communities. We will work together to ensure that our 
                Indian education programs offer high-quality 
                instruction and job training that contribute to the 
                vitality of our Native American communities. We will 
                also work to maintain the legacy of American Indians 
                and Alaska Natives by preserving irreplaceable 
                languages and cultural traditions.

                To enhance our efforts to help Indian nations be self-
                governing, self-supporting, and self-reliant, my 
                Administration will continue to honor tribal 
                sovereignty by working on a government-to-government 
                basis with American Indians and Alaska Natives. We will 
                honor the rights of Indian tribes and work to protect 
                and enhance tribal resources.

                My Administration is working to increase employment and 
                expand economic opportunities for all Native Americans. 
                Several Federal agencies recently participated in the 
                National Summit on Emerging Tribal Economies to help us 
                accomplish this goal. In order to build upon this 
                effort, my Administration will work to promote 
                cooperation and coordination among Federal agencies for 
                the purpose of fostering greater economic development 
                of tribal communities. By working together on important 
                economic initiatives, we will strengthen America by 
                building a future of hope and promise for all Native 
                Americans.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim November 2002 as National

[[Page 67774]]

                American Indian Heritage Month. I call upon all 
                Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate 
                programs and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-28433
Filed 11-5-02; 8:46 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P