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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 561 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 561

Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the 
  heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of 
                 Native Americans to the United States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 19, 2012

   Mr. Akaka (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Crapo, Mr. 
 Johnson of South Dakota, Ms. Murkowski, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Tester, Mr. 
   Franken, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, and Mr. Johanns) submitted the 
  following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Indian 
                                Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the 
  heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of 
                 Native Americans to the United States.

Whereas from November 1, 2012, through November 30, 2012, the United States 
        celebrates National Native American Heritage Month;
Whereas Native Americans 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 Native American 
        descent;
Whereas Native Americans maintain vibrant cultures and traditions and hold a 
        deeply rooted sense of community;
Whereas Native Americans have moving stories of tragedy, triumph, and 
        perseverance that need to be shared with future generations;
Whereas Native Americans 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 Native Americans;
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 with the enactment of the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 
        (Public Law 111-33; 123 Stat. 1922), Congress--

    (1) reaffirmed the government-to-government relationship between the 
United States and Native American governments; and

    (2) recognized the important contributions of Native Americans to the 
culture of the United States;

Whereas Native Americans have made distinct and important contributions to the 
        United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including the 
        fields of agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art, and Native 
        Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, 
        spiritual leaders, and scholars;
Whereas Native Americans 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 Native Americans and their ancestors: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the month of November 2012 as National 
        Native American Heritage Month;
            (2) recognizes the Friday after Thanksgiving as ``Native 
        American Heritage Day'' in accordance with the Native American 
        Heritage Day Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-33; 123 Stat. 1922); 
        and
            (3) urges the people of the United States to observe 
        National Native American Heritage Month and Native American 
        Heritage Day with appropriate programs and activities.
                                 <all>
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