[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 43 (Monday, November 3, 2008)]
[Pages 1391-1392]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8313--National American Indian Heritage Month, 2008

 October 30, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    During National American Indian Heritage Month, we celebrate the 
rich ancestry of American Indians and Alaska Natives and recognize their 
many contributions to our national story.
    Native Americans have enriched our heritage and added to all aspects 
of our society. Our country is blessed to have their character and 
strength, and we are especially grateful for the generations of Native 
Americans who have answered the call to defend our country. During World 
War II, these brave patriots used their native languages to create an 
unbreakable oral code. Today, that legacy continues as Native Americans 
work to advance freedom's cause.
    My Administration remains committed to protecting tribal sovereignty 
and the right to self-determination and to working with tribes on a 
government-to-government basis. To help more Native Americans realize 
the dream of home ownership, I signed the Native American Housing 
Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008. For 
nearly eight years, we have also worked to strengthen educational 
opportunities for all Americans. In 2004, I issued an executive order to 
help Native American students fulfill the challenging standards of the 
No Child Left Behind Act. This order established the Interagency Working 
Group on American Indian and Alaska Native Education to improve 
educational programs consistent with tribal traditions, languages, and 
cultures. By setting high standards for academic achievement, we are 
enabling more Americans throughout our country to pursue their dreams. 
During this month, we honor our native peoples and recognize them for 
strengthening the diversity of our society.
     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

[[Page 1392]]

States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 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 eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
third.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., October 31, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
November 3.