IA

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. J. RES. 271

Designating November of each year as ‘‘National American Indian Heritage

Month’’.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 30, 1993

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA (for himself, Mr. MILLER of California, Mr. RICHARDSON, Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mr. GIBBONS, Mr.

ABERCROMBIE, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. ANDREWS of New Jersey, Mr.

BAESLER, Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin, Mr. BEREUTER, Mr. BERMAN,

Mr. BONIOR, Mr. CALVERT, Mr. CLEMENT, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. COOPER,

Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. DE LA GARZA, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. DELLUMS, Mr. DE

LUGO, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. EDWARDS of Texas, Ms. ENGLISH of Arizona,

Ms. ESHOO, Mr. FAZIO, Mr. FROST, Ms. FURSE, Mr. GINGRICH, Mr.

GUTIERREZ, Mr. HAMBURG, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. HILLIARD, Mr.

HOAGLAND, Mr. HUGHES, Mr. JEFFERSON, Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. KOPETSKI, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr.

MILLER of Florida, Mr. MINETA, Mrs. MINK, Ms. NORTON, Mr. OBERSTAR, Mr. OLVER, Mr. OWENS, Mr. PARKER, Mr. PASTOR, Ms. PELOSI,

Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mr. ROSE, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr.

SABO, Mr. SKEEN, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. STOKES, Mr. SYNAR, Mr.

THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. TUCKER, Mr. UNDERWOOD,

Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ, and Mr. WAXMAN) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service

JOINT RESOLUTION

Designating November of each year as ‘‘National American

Indian Heritage Month’’.
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HJ 271 IH

Whereas American Indians were the original inhabitants of

the lands that now constitute the United States of

America;

Whereas American Indian Governments developed the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation

of powers in government, and these principles form the

foundation of the United States Government today;

Whereas American Indian societies have exhibited a respect

for the finiteness of natural resources through deep respect for the earth, and these values continue to be widely held today;

Whereas American Indian people have served with valor in all

wars from Revolutionary War to the conflict in the Persian Gulf, often in a percentage well above their percentage in the population of the Nation as a whole;

Whereas American Indians have made distinct and important

contributions to America and the rest of the world in

many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art;

Whereas American Indians deserve to be recognized for their

individual contributions to American society as artists,

sculptors, musicians, authors, poets, artisans, scientists,

and scholars;

Whereas designating a month each year to recognize the heritage and the contributions to American society of American Indians will encourage self-esteem, pride, and selfawareness in American Indians of all ages; and

Whereas November is traditionally the month when American

Indians have harvested their crops and is generally a

time of celebration and giving thanks: Now, therefore, be

it
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HJ 271 IH

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 That—

4 (1) November of each year is designated as

5 ‘‘National American Indian Heritage Month’’; and

6 (2) the President is authorized and requested to

7 issue a proclamation each year calling on the people

8 of the United States to observe the month with ap9 propriate ceremonies and activities.

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