III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 342 

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 5, 2009 

Mr. DORGAN (for himself, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. 

BINGAMAN, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. CONRAD, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. FRANKEN, 

Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. MERKLEY, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mrs. 

MURRAY, Mr. TESTER, Mr. THUNE, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, and Mr. 

UDALL of New Mexico) submitted the following resolution; which was 

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, 2009, through November 30, 

2009, 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; 


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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 


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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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the celebration of National 

3 American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month 

4 during the month of November 2009; 

5 (2) honors the heritage and culture of American 

6 Indians and Alaska Natives and the contributions of 

7 American Indians and Alaska Natives to the United 

8 States; and 


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1 (3) urges the people of the United States to ob2 serve National American Indian and Alaska Native 

3 Heritage Month with appropriate programs and ac4 tivities. 

Æ 


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