S.Res.719 - A resolution recognizing National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives and the contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the United States.110th Congress (2007-2008)
Senate - 12/09/2008 Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text as passed Senate: CR S10836) (All Actions)
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[actionDate] => 2008-12-09
[displayText] => Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.(text as passed Senate: CR S10836)
[externalActionCode] => 17000
[description] => Agreed to in Senate
[chamberOfAction] => Senate
)
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Shown Here: Agreed to Senate (12/09/2008)
110th CONGRESS 2d Session
S. RES. 719
Recognizing National American Indian and
Alaska Native Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of
American Indians and Alaska Natives and the contributions of American Indians
and Alaska Natives to the United States.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 20, 2008
Mr. Dorgan (for himself,
Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs.
Clinton, Mr. Schumer,
Mr. Salazar, Mr. Feingold, Mr.
Tester, Mr. Domenici,
Mr. McCain, Mr.
Wyden, Mr. Baucus,
Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr.
Bayh, Mr. Thune,
Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Conrad, and Mr.
Johnson) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Indian
Affairs
December 9, 2008
Committee discharged; considered and agreed
to
RESOLUTION
Recognizing National American Indian and
Alaska Native Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of
American Indians and Alaska Natives and the contributions of American Indians
and Alaska Natives to the United States.
Whereas from November 1, 2008, through November 30, 2008,
the United States celebrates National American Indian and Alaska Native
Heritage Month;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are
descendants of the original, indigenous inhabitants of what is now the United
States;
Whereas, in 2000, the United States Census Bureau reported
that there were more than 4,000,000 people in the United States of American
Indian and Alaska Native descent;
Whereas, on December 2, 1989, the Committee on Indian
Affairs of the Senate held a hearing exploring the contributions of the
Iroquois Confederacy, and its influence on the Founding Fathers in the drafting
of the Constitution of the United States with the concepts of freedom of
speech, the separation of governmental powers, and checks and balances among
the branches of government;
Whereas the Senate has reaffirmed that a major national
goal of the United States is to provide the resources, processes, and structure
that will enable Indian Tribes and tribal members to obtain the quantity and
quality of health care services and opportunities that will eliminate the
health disparities between American Indians and the general population of the
United States;
Whereas Congress recently reaffirmed its trust
responsibility to improve the housing conditions and socioeconomic status of
American Indians and Alaska Natives by providing affordable homes in a safe and
healthy environment;
Whereas, throughout its course of dealing with Indian
Tribes, the United States Government has engaged in a government-to-government
relationship with Tribes;
Whereas the United States Government owes a trust
obligation to Tribes, acknowledged in treaties, statutes, and decisions of the
Supreme Court, to protect the interests and welfare of tribal governments and
their members;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have
consistently served with honor and distinction in the Armed Forces of the
United States, some as early as the Revolutionary War, and continue to serve in
the Armed Forces in greater numbers per capita than any other group in the
United States;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives speak and
preserve indigenous languages and have contributed hundreds of words to the
English language, including the names of people and locations in the United
States;
Whereas Congress has recognized Native American code
talkers who served with honor and distinction in World War I and World War II,
using indigenous languages as an unbreakable military code, saving countless
American lives;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are deeply
rooted in tradition and culture, which drives their strength of community;
and
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages
celebrate the great achievements of their ancestors and heroes and continue to
share their stories with future generations: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) recognizes the
celebration of National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month during
the month of November 2008;
(2) honors the
heritage and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives and the
contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the United States;
and
(3) urges the people
of the United States to observe National American Indian and Alaska Native
Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities.