November 20, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10755 

SENATE RESOLUTION 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 

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: 

S. RES. 719 

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-togovernment 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. 

Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, on October 30, 2008, President Bush issued a 

proclamation designating November 

2008 as National American Indian and 

Alaska Native Heritage Month. The 

President follows a tradition of Presidents since 1990 of issuing proclamations making November the month for 

recognizing the significant contributions of tribal governments and individual Native Americans to our Nation’s history and development. 

Congress also has traditionally recognized the contributions of Native 

Americans to the United States in the 

form of resolutions, findings, coins and 

medals. The resolution, which I am 

sending to the desk to ask for its immediate consideration, continues in 

that tradition. 

This resolution recognizes some of 

the many contributions that Native 

Americans have made to help build our 

great Nation as well as the continued 

contributions of Native Americans to 

the growth of the United States. From 

contributions to the United States and 

the world in the fields of agriculture, 

medicine, music, language, and art to 

influencing the founding documents of 

our Federal Government to the use of 

native languages to develop an unbreakable military code that helped defeat the Axis powers in World War II, 

Indian Tribes and individual Native 

Americans have shaped our Nation’s 

history in remarkable ways. 

Through this resolution, we celebrate 

these and many other contributions of 

tribal governments and Native Americans during the month of November. I 

urge all citizens, and local, State, tribal and Federal Governments and agencies to take time this month to learn 

more about the many facets of Native 

American history, traditions, and their 

important contributions to the formation of the United States. 

This year, the United States Senate 

and the Congress as a whole acted on 

two important pieces of legislation 

that seek to meet our Nation’s legal, 

treaty and trust obligations to promote health care and housing for the 

residents of Indian Country. 

S. 1200, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act of 2008, passed the Senate in February of this year with a 

margin of 83–10. As Chairman of the 

Committee on Indian Affairs, this legislation has been the priority for the 

Committee in the 110th Congress. The 

Indian health care act was last authorized in 1992, and this bill would help 

bring Indian health care into to 21st 

century. I am proud to report that we 

were able to pass this legislation out of 

the Senate for the first time in almost 

a decade. A number of Senators were 

instrumental moving this legislation 

forward in the Senate. Unfortunately, 

our work was not completed. The 

House was unable to pass the legislation and it remains unauthorized as 

the health care needs of Native Americans remain sorely under-funded and 

services remain outdated. Indian 

health care will continue to remain a 

priority for the committee and every 

effort will be made to reauthorize this 

legislation as soon as possible. 

In addition to the Indian Health Care 

Improvement Act, the Senate approved 

a $1 billion authorization for additional 

funding for the Indian Health Service 

as a part of the Senate Budget Resolution. Congress also passed a $250 million authorization for Indian health 

care through an amendment to the 

Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United 

States Global Leadership Against HIV/ 

AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. 

In September of this year, Congress 

succeeded in enacting the Native 

American Housing and Self-Determination Assistance Reauthorization Act of 

2008. This bill makes long needed improvements to Native housing programs, and authorizes the flexible use 

of funding to strengthen Native communities through economic and community development. 

While health care and housing are 

critically important to Indian Country 

and represent significant steps forward 

in fulfilling the trust obligation between Congress and the First Americans, it is important to acknowledge 

several other achievements in the 110th 

Congress. 

Congress passed into law the Code 

Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 which 

provides well-deserved Congressional 

gold medals to each tribe that had 

members who were Code Talkers in any 

foreign conflict. Each next of kin to 

the valiant Code Talker who served 

their country will receive a silver duplicate. 

The Higher Education Reauthorization Act was passed into law, which reauthorized the Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Assistance Act, 

increasing the amount of money per 

student in tribal colleges and universities. A study has been requested of 

the General Accountability Office 

which will allow for an evaluation of 

public schools on Indian lands to assist 

Congress in meeting its obligations to 

Indian education. 

Congress also passed the Fostering 

Connections to Success and Increasing 

Adoptions Act allowing Tribes for the 


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S10756 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 20, 2008 

first time to directly administer foster 

care and adoption programs offered by 

the Federal government, allowing 

tribes to continue strengthening their 

communities by ensuring safe and caring homes for their Native children. 

Congress passed the Native American 

$1 Coin Act, which recognizes the contributions of Native Americans to the 

development of the United States 

through an annually changing image 

on the reverse of the Sakakawea $1 

coin that is now in circulation. 

Congress also passed into law a joint 

resolution designating November 28, 

2008 as Native American Heritage Day, 

honoring the contributions and 

achievements of our First Americans. 

The Treaty of Fort Laramie and 

other treaties acknowledged the specific obligations that the United States 

owes to the Tribes located in my State 

of North Dakota. Much has been done 

this Congress to begin to fulfill this 

legal responsibility and the more general trust responsibility that Congress 

owes to all Indian Tribes. 

However, as is evident with Congress’ 

failure to pass the Indian Health Care 

Improvement Act of 2008, much still remains to be done. The resolution before 

the Senate today would simply honor 

the hard work, traditions, culture, and 

contribution of the First Americans. 

I ask that this resolution be adopted 

quickly and that it act as an encouragement to all people of the United 

States to observe the month of November as National American Indian and 

Alaska Native Heritage Month. 

f 

SENATE RESOLUTION 720—SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND 

IDEALS OF PANCREATIC CANCER 

AWARENESS MONTH 

Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. 

CASEY, and Mr. SPECTER) submitted the 

following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Health, 

Education, Labor, and Pensions: 

S. RES. 720 

Whereas approximately 37,680 people will 

be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this 

year in the United States; 

Whereas pancreatic cancer is the 4th most 

common cause of cancer death in the United 

States; 

Whereas Randolph (‘‘Randy’’) Frederick 

Pausch, who was diagnosed with pancreatic 

cancer in 2006, delivered his ‘‘Last Lecture’’ 

on September 18, 2007, which gave a voice to 

victims of pancreatic cancer, and inspired 

people to live life to the fullest; 

Whereas the lecture by and advocacy of 

Randy Pausch have brought, and will continue to bring, renewed advocacy and commitment to the field of pancreatic cancer research and treatment; 

Whereas the lecture by and advocacy of 

Randy Pausch have touched countless people 

throughout the United States and the world 

and encouraged them to change their lives 

for the better; 

Whereas 75 percent of pancreatic cancer 

patients die within the first year of their diagnosis and only 5 percent survive more than 

5 years, making pancreatic cancer the deadliest of any cancer; 

Whereas there has been no significant improvement in survival rates in the last 30 

years and pancreatic cancer research is still 

in the earliest scientific stages; 

Whereas there are no early detection methods and minimal treatment options for pancreatic cancer; 

Whereas when symptoms of pancreatic 

cancer present themselves, it is generally 

too late for an optimistic prognosis, and the 

average survival rate of those diagnosed with 

metastasis of the disease is only 3 to 6 

months; 

Whereas the incidence rate of pancreatic 

cancer is 40 to 50 percent higher in African 

Americans than in other ethnic groups; and 

Whereas it would be appropriate to observe 

November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness 

Month to educate communities across the 

Nation about pancreatic cancer and the need 

for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and treatment programs: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Senate supports the 

goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. 

f 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 106—COMMENDING THE 

GOVERNMENT OF SWITZERLAND 

FOR ONGOING ASSISTANCE IN 

THE CASE OF ROBERT 

LEVINSON, URING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO INTENSIFY COOPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SWITZERLAND AND 

THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ON THE CASE OF 

ROBERT LEVINSON, AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY TO THE 

FAMILY OF ROBERT LEVINSON 

Mr. NELSON of Florida submitted 

the following concurrent resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee 

on Foreign Relations: 

S. CON. RES. 106 

Whereas United States citizen Robert 

Levinson is a retired agent of the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation, a resident of Florida, the husband of Christine Levinson, and 

father of their 7 children; 

Whereas Robert Levinson traveled from 

Dubai to Kish Island, Iran, on March 8, 2007; 

Whereas, after traveling to Kish Island and 

checking into the Hotel Maryam, he disappeared on March 9, 2007; 

Whereas neither his family nor the United 

States Government has received further information on his fate or whereabouts; 

Whereas March 9, 2009, marks the second 

anniversary of the disappearance of Robert 

Levinson; 

Whereas the Government of Switzerland, 

which has served as Protecting Power for the 

United States in the Islamic Republic of Iran 

in the absence of diplomatic relations between the United States Government and the 

Government of Iran since 1980, has continuously pressed the Government of Iran on the 

case of Robert Levinson and lent vital assistance and support to the Levinson family during their December 2007 visit to Iran; 

Whereas officials of the Government of 

Iran promised their continued assistance to 

the relatives of Robert Levinson during the 

visit of the family to the Islamic Republic of 

Iran in December 2007; and 

Whereas the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated during an interview with NBC News 

broadcast on July 28, 2008, that officials of 

the Government of Iran were willing to cooperate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the search for Robert Levinson: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress— 

(1) commends the Embassy of Switzerland 

in Tehran and the Government of Switzerland for the ongoing assistance to the United 

States Government and to the family of Robert Levinson, particularly during the visit by 

Christine Levinson and other relatives to 

Iran in December 2007; 

(2) expresses appreciation for efforts by 

Iranian officials to ensure the safety of the 

family of Robert Levinson during their December 2007 visit to Iran, as well as for the 

promise of continued assistance; 

(3) urges the Government of Iran, as a humanitarian gesture, to intensify its cooperation on the case of Robert Levinson with the 

Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran and to 

share the results of its investigation into the 

disappearance of Robert Levinson with the 

Federal Bureau of Investigation; 

(4) urges the President and the allies of the 

United States to engage with officials of the 

Government of Iran to raise the case of Robert Levinson at every opportunity, notwithstanding other serious disagreements the 

United States Government has had with the 

Government of Iran on a broad array of 

issues, including human rights, the nuclear 

program of Iran, the Middle East peace process, regional stability, and international terrorism; and 

(5) expresses sympathy to the family of 

Robert Levinson during this trying period. 

Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I am introducing a resolution in 

the Senate that touches on one of the 

tragic cases of a Floridian, Bob 

Levinson, who has been missing in Iran 

since he visited Kish Island off the 

coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf in 

early 2007. I have spoken on this issue 

ad infinitum before to call the attention of the Congress to the plight of 

Mr. Levinson as well as to the difficulties that are faced by his wife Christine 

and their seven children. 

Bob Levinson, a businessman and a 

former FBI agent, vanished after 

checking out of his hotel on the resort 

island of Kish on March 9, 2007. It is no 

doubt the wish of everyone who knows 

this man that Bob Levinson be reunited with his loved ones. It has been 

very difficult to get information out of 

the Government of Iran. The State Department has delivered a number of requests for information and cooperation 

to the Iranian Government through our 

diplomatic intermediary, which is the 

Government of Switzerland. Unfortunately, Iran continues to claim it has 

no information on the fate of Bob 

Levinson. 

Mrs. Levinson and her eldest son, 

Daniel, and her sister, Ms. Halpin, 

traveled to Tehran and Kish Island in 

December of last year in the hopes of 

finding information about Bob 

Levinson’s disappearance. The Iranian 

authorities, to their credit, extended 

courtesies to her and they promised 

her at the time they would help in the 

case, but those promises have not been 

fulfilled. 

This resolution I am introducing 

urges Iranian officials to fulfill their 

promises of assistance to the 

Levinsons. It calls for Iranian investigators to meet with the FBI to discuss the Levinson case. It calls for the 

U.S. Government and our allies to 


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