```

[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 689 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 689

 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 19, 2010

  Mr. Dorgan (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, Mr. 
Crapo, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Tester, Mr. Franken, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Bingaman, 
 Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Akaka, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Begich, Mr. 
Johnson, and Mr. Udall of Colorado) 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, 2010, through November 30, 2010, 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 the United States Bureau of the Census estimated in 2009 that there were 
        almost 5,000,000 individuals in the United States of American Indian or 
        Alaska Native descent;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives maintain vibrant cultures and 
        traditions, and hold a deeply rooted sense of community;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have moving stories of tragedy, 
        triumph, and perseverance that need to be shared with future 
        generations;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives speak and preserve indigenous 
        languages, which have contributed to the English language by being used 
        as names of individuals and locations throughout the United States;
Whereas Congress has recently reaffirmed its support of tribal self-governance 
        and its commitment to improving the lives of all Native Americans by 
        enhancing health care services, increasing law enforcement resources, 
        and approving settlements of litigation involving Indian tribes and the 
        United States;
Whereas Congress is committed to improving the housing conditions and 
        socioeconomic status of American Indians and Alaska Natives;
Whereas the United States is committed to strengthening the government-to-
        government relationship that it has maintained with the various Indian 
        Tribes;
Whereas Congress has recognized 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 the system of checks 
        and balances between the branches of government;
Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have served with honor and 
        distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States, and continue to 
        serve in the Armed Forces in greater numbers per capita than any other 
        group in the United States;
Whereas the United States has recognized the contribution of the Native American 
        code talkers in World War I and World War II, who used indigenous 
        languages as an unbreakable military code, saving countless Americans; 
        and
Whereas the people of the United States have reason to honor the great 
        achievements and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives 
        and their ancestors: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the month of November 2010 as National 
        American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month;
            (2) celebrates the heritage and culture of American Indians 
        and Alaska Natives and honors 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.
                                 <all>
```