    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    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.

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    117 STAT. 3115

    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.
    GEORGE W. BUSH