[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 44 (Monday, November 6, 2006)]
[Pages 1930-1931]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8076--National American Indian Heritage Month, 2006

 October 30, 2006

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    During National American Indian Heritage Month, we honor the 
generations of American Indians and Alaska Natives who have added to the 
character of our Nation. This month is an opportunity to celebrate their 
many accomplishments and their rich ancestry and traditions.

[[Page 1931]]

    America is blessed by the character and strength of American Indians 
and Alaska Natives, and our citizens are grateful for the countless ways 
Native Americans have enriched our country and lifted the spirit of our 
Nation. We are especially grateful for the Native Americans who have 
served and continue to serve in our Nation's military. These brave 
individuals have risked their lives to protect our citizens, defend our 
democracy, and spread the blessings of liberty to people around the 
world.
    My Administration is working to ensure that American Indians and 
Alaska Natives have access to all the opportunities of this great land. 
My fiscal year 2007 budget proposes more than $12.7 billion for 
government programs for Native Americans. Education is vital to ensuring 
all citizens reach their full potential, and my budget includes funding 
to help Native-American schools succeed and meet the requirements of the 
No Child Left Behind Act. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is providing 
education for approximately 46,000 American-Indian and Alaska-Native 
children. To help keep Native Americans safe, I have also proposed to 
increase law enforcement personnel and improve law enforcement 
facilities in American-Indian communities. My Administration will 
continue to work on a government-to-government basis with tribal 
governments, honor the principles of tribal sovereignty and the right to 
self-determination, and help ensure America remains a land of promise 
for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and all our citizens.
    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 2006 as National 
American Indian Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate 
this month with appropriate programs and activities.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day 
of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., November 1, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
November 2.