[Page H9067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

  (Mr. NEWHOUSE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Native American 
History Month and the contributions of Native Americans in my 
congressional district in central Washington.
  With 29 Federally recognized tribes across the State, Washingtonians 
live alongside Native Americans who serve our communities through 
entrepreneurship, military service, and sharing their rich and storied 
cultural history. They are our friends, family, neighbors, and 
coworkers.
  While we recognize that one month out of the year to remember the 
historical and cultural contributions of our Native friends, we must 
support them as they face a crisis that has affected Native women for 
decades. That crisis is of missing and murdered indigenous women.
  In Washington, Native Americans make up about 2 percent of the 
population, but indigenous women account for 7 percent of the State's 
reported missing women. This includes 31 open cases on or near the 
Yakama Nation Reservation.
  During Native American History Month, I challenge this body to honor 
the heritage of our Native friends by taking up legislation that will 
help ensure that missing and murdered loved ones are not part of the 
history of another generation of Native women.

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