[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 65153-65154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29072]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 223 / Wednesday, November 19, 2003 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 65153]]

                Proclamation 7735 of November 14, 2003

                
National American Indian Heritage Month, 2003

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During National American Indian Heritage Month, we 
                honor the accomplishments and culture of American 
                Indians and Alaska Natives and recognize their 
                contributions to our country. To help educate Americans 
                and illustrate the important role of these native 
                people to our Nation, the new National Museum of the 
                American Indian will open next year.

                American Indians and Alaska Natives have a long 
                tradition of serving with pride and accomplishment in 
                the United States Armed Forces. Today, their patriotism 
                is reflected in the more than 13,000 American Indians 
                and Alaska Natives serving on active duty and the more 
                than 6,400 reservists. In Iraq, Specialist Lori 
                Piestewa of the Army's 507th Maintenance Company and a 
                member of the Hopi tribe, was the first American 
                servicewoman killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the 
                only known American Indian woman killed in action in 
                any conflict. Her bravery, service, and sacrifice are 
                an inspiration to our men and women in uniform and to 
                all Americans.

                To ensure the future success of America's tribal 
                communities, my Administration is committed to 
                improving education, increasing employment and economic 
                development, and ensuring better access to health and 
                human services for all American Indians and Alaska 
                natives. Government-wide, we proposed in the 2004 
                Budget to spend over $11 billion on Native American 
                programs. The Department of Education's Office of 
                Indian Education is working to implement the No Child 
                Left Behind Act of 2001 within the Native American 
                community. Indian tribes, schools, and local education 
                agencies that serve American Indian and Native Alaska 
                children will have access to nearly $122 million in 
                grants to improve education opportunities. In addition, 
                the Department of the Interior's 2004 program includes 
                over $49 million for America's tribal colleges and 
                universities. This investment will help American Indian 
                students reach their full potential and achieve their 
                dreams. We are also working to address the healthcare 
                needs of American Indians, particularly the rising 
                incidence of diabetes.

                The United States has a strong relationship with 
                American Indian tribes and Alaska Native entities. By 
                continuing to work on a government-to-government basis 
                with these tribal governments, we are fostering greater 
                understanding and promoting tribal self-determination 
                and self-governance.

                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 2003 as National 
                American Indian Heritage Month. This month, I encourage 
                citizens to learn more about the rich heritage of 
                American Indians and Alaska Natives and the role they 
                have played in building and sustaining our Nation and 
                to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and 
                activities.

[[Page 65154]]

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

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 03-29072
Filed 11-18-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P