[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 47 (Monday, November 24, 2003)]
[Pages 1619-1620]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7735--National American Indian Heritage Month, 2003

November 14, 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

[[Page 1620]]

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.
    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

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., November 18, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
November 19. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.