H. Res. 132 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

February 23, 2009. 

Whereas Goyathlay or Goyaale ́, called Geronimo by the soldiers against whom he fought, was born in June 1829 to 

the Bedonkohe band of the Apache people in No-Doyohn 

Canyon on the Gila River, which was then part of Mexico; 

Whereas in 1858, Mexican soldiers attacked the Bedonkohe 

people within the current borders of Mexico, setting in 

motion a war between that nation and the Apache that 

would last for three decades; 

Whereas Goyathlay, a spiritual and intellectual leader, became recognized as a great military leader by his people 

because of his courage, determination, and skill; 

Whereas Goyathlay led his people in a war of self-defense as 

their homeland was invaded by the citizens and armies 

first of Mexico, and then of the United States; 

Whereas that homeland was healthy, thriving, and beautiful 

with ample running water, extensive grasslands, and ancient forests and was a place beloved and revered by the 

Apache people, who had lived there for countless generations; 

Whereas Goyathlay’s band, along with other Apache peoples, 

were forcibly removed by the United States Army, in-
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terned at San Carlos, Arizona, subjugated, and deprived 

of their rights as a free people, including the right to 

practice their traditional spiritual beliefs and maintain 

long-standing political and social structures; 

Whereas Goyathlay led fewer than 150 men, women, and 

children out of captivity and for several years evaded 

fighting forces consisting of one-quarter of the standing 

United States Army, as well as thousands of Mexican soldiers; 

Whereas upon surrendering to Unites States forces, 

Goyathlay and his band were promised a return to their 

homeland but were instead interned in military prisons in 

Florida and Alabama, far from their homeland; 

Whereas Goyathlay, promised respect as a prisoner of war, 

was put to hard labor for eight years; 

Whereas Goyathlay and other Apache prisoners of war were 

removed to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1894; 

Whereas after his death on February 17, 1909, Goyathlay 

was not granted the promised return to his homeland but 

instead was buried in the military cemetery at Fort Sill; 

Whereas Goyathlay’s byname, ‘‘Geronimo’’, became a war cry 

uttered by paratroopers fighting against the totalitarian 

enemies of the United States during World War II, a 

name used with respect and honor for a great warrior 

and leader; 

Whereas to this day, the Apache people continue to honor 

and hold sacred what Goyathlay represented to a people 

separated and destroyed by historic and disruptive 

United States governmental policies of the past; and 

Whereas there still exists a need for spiritual healing among 

Apache people, stemming from the captivity and mis-
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treatment of their ancestors under past policies of the 

United States Government, that can commence by honoring the memory of Goyathlay and his valiant efforts to 

preserve traditional Apache ways of life and the health of 

Ni’gosdza ́’n, the Earth: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) honors the life of Goyathlay, his extraordinary 

bravery, and his commitment to the defense of his homeland, his people, and Apache ways of life; and 

(2) recognizes the 100 anniversary of the death of 

Goyathlay as a time of reflection of his deeds on behalf 

of his people. 

Attest: 

Clerk.