[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[October 26, 1992]
[Pages 2003-2004]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Native American Languages Act of 1992
October 26, 1992

    Today I am signing into law S. 2044, the ``Native American Languages 
Act of 1992,'' a bill to establish a program to help preserve Native 
American languages. Traditional languages are an important part of this 
Nation's culture and history and can help provide Native Americans with 
a sense of identity and pride in their heritage.
    I am concerned, however, about provisions in this bill that provide 
benefits to ``Native Hawaiians'' as defined in a race-based fashion. 
This race-based classification cannot be supported as an exercise of the 
constitutional authority granted to the Congress to benefit Native 
Americans as members of tribes. In addition, the terms ``Native American 
Pacific Islanders'' and ``Indian organizations in urban or rural 
nonreservation areas'' are not defined with sufficient clarity to 
determine whether they are based on racial classifications. Therefore, I 
direct the affected Cabinet Secretaries to consult with the Attorney 
General in order to resolve these issues in a constitutional manner.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
October 26, 1992.

[[Page 2004]]

                    Note: S. 2044, approved October 26, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-524. This statement was 
                        released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
                        October 27.