[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

123 STAT. 1922

Public Law 111-33
111th Congress

Joint Resolution


 
To honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the
United States, and for other purposes. <>

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, <>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Heritage Day Act of
2009''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--
(1) Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal,
indigenous, native people who were the original inhabitants of
and who governed the lands that now constitute the United
States;
(2) Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the United
States Armed Forces and have served with valor in all of the
Nation's military actions from the Revolutionary War through the
present day, and in most of those actions, more Native Americans
per capita served in the Armed Forces than any other group of
Americans;
(3) Native American tribal governments included the
fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of
governmental powers;
(4) Native Americans have made distinct and significant
contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in
many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language,
and art, and Native Americans have distinguished themselves as
inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars;
(5) Native Americans should be recognized for their
contributions to the United States as local and national
leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;
(6) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native
Americans have made to the fabric of American society will
afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their
respect and admiration of Native Americans for their important
contributions to the political, cultural, and economic life of
the United States;
(7) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native
Americans have made to the Nation will encourage self-esteem,
pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all ages;
(8) designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving of each
year as Native American Heritage Day will underscore

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123 STAT. 1923

the government-to-government relationship between the United
States and Native American governments;
(9) designation of Native American Heritage Day will
encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the United
States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by providing
curricula and classroom instruction focusing on the achievements
and contributions of Native Americans to the Nation; and
(10) the Friday immediately succeeding Thanksgiving Day of
each year would be an appropriate day to designate as Native
American Heritage Day.

SEC. 3. HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Congress encourages the people of the United States, as well as
Federal, State, and local governments, and interested groups and
organizations to honor Native Americans, with activities relating to--
(1) appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to
observe Native American Heritage Day;
(2) the historical status of Native American tribal
governments as well as the present day status of Native
Americans;
(3) the cultures, traditions, and languages of Native
Americans; and
(4) the rich Native American cultural legacy that all
Americans enjoy today.

Approved June 26, 2009.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.J. Res. 40:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 155 (2009):
June 2, considered and passed House.
June 9, considered and passed Senate.