III 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 400 

To designate Friday, November 23, 2007, as ‘‘Native American Heritage 

Day’’ in honor of the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 11, 2007 

Mr. INOUYE (for himself, Mr. BROWNBACK, Mr. DORGAN, Mr. BINGAMAN, 

Mrs. CLINTON, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. 

CONRAD, Mr. DOMENICI, Mr. AKAKA, Mrs. BOXER, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. 

STEVENS, Mr. BAUCUS, and Mr. TESTER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

To designate Friday, November 23, 2007, as ‘‘Native American Heritage Day’’ in honor of the achievements and 

contributions of Native Americans to the United States. 

Whereas Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal, indigenous, native people who were the original 

inhabitants of and who governed the lands that now constitute the United States; 

Whereas Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the 

United States Armed Forces and have served with valor 

in all of the Nation’s military actions from the Revolutionary War through the present day, and in most of 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
2 

•SRES 400 IS 

those actions, more Native Americans per capita served 

in the Armed Forces than any other group of Americans; 

Whereas Native American tribal governments developed the 

fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of governmental powers that were a model for those 

that form the foundation of the United States Constitution; 

Whereas the Founding Fathers based the provisions of the 

Constitution on the unique system of democracy of the 

Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, which divided 

powers among the branches of government and provided 

for a system of checks and balances; 

Whereas Native Americans have made distinct and significant 

contributions to the United States and the rest of the 

world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, 

music, language, and art, and Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars; 

Whereas Native Americans should be recognized for their 

contributions to the United States as local and national 

leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars; 

Whereas nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native Americans have made to the fabric of American society will afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their respect and admiration of Native Americans for their important contributions to the political, 

cultural, and economic life of the United States; 

Whereas nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native Americans have made to the Nation will encourage 

self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all ages; 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
3 

•SRES 400 IS 

Whereas designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving as 

Native American Heritage Day will underscore the government-to-government relationship between the United 

States and Native American governments; and 

Whereas designation of Native American Heritage Day will 

encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the 

United States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by providing curricula and classroom instruction focusing on the achievements and contributions of Native 

Americans to the Nation: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, that the Senate— 

2 (1) designates Friday, November 23, 2007, as 

3 ‘‘Native American Heritage Day’’; and 

4 (2) encourages the people of the United States, 

5 as well as Federal, State, and local governments and 

6 interested groups and organizations to observe Na7 tive American Heritage Day with appropriate pro8 grams, ceremonies, and activities, including activities 

9 related to— 

10 (A) the historical and constitutional status 

11 of Native American tribal governments as well 

12 as the present day status of Native Americans; 

13 (B) the cultures, traditions, and languages 

14 of Native Americans; and 

15 (C) the rich Native American cultural leg16 acy that all Americans enjoy today. 

Æ 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS