In the Senate of the United States, 

September 22 (legislative day, September 17), 2008. 

Resolved, That the resolution from the House of Representatives (H.J. Res. 62) entitled ‘‘Joint resolution to 

honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States, and for other purposes.’’, do pass 

with the following 

AMENDMENT: 

Strike out all after the resolving clause and insert: 

1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Native American Her3 itage Day Act of 2008’’. 

4 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

5 Congress finds that— 

6 (1) Native Americans are the descendants of 

7 the aboriginal, indigenous, native people who were 

8 the original inhabitants of the United States; 

9 (2) Native Americans have volunteered to serve 

10 in the United States Armed Forces and have served 
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•HJ 62 EAS 

1 with valor in all of the Nation’s military actions 

2 from the Revolutionary War through the present 

3 day, and in most of those actions, more Native 

4 Americans per capita served in the Armed Forces 

5 than any other group of Americans; 

6 (3) Native Americans have made distinct and 

7 significant contributions to the United States and 

8 the rest of the world in many fields, including agri9 culture, medicine, music, language, and art, and Na10 tive Americans have distinguished themselves as in11 ventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and schol12 ars; 

13 (4) Native Americans should be recognized for 

14 their contributions to the United States as local and 

15 national leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars; 

16 (5) nationwide recognition of the contributions 

17 that Native Americans have made to the fabric of 

18 American society will afford an opportunity for all 

19 Americans to demonstrate their respect and admira20 tion of Native Americans for their important con21 tributions to the political, cultural, and economic life 

22 of the United States; 

23 (6) nationwide recognition of the contributions 

24 that Native Americans have made to the Nation will 
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•HJ 62 EAS 

1 encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness in 

2 Native Americans of all ages; 

3 (7) designation of the Friday following Thanks4 giving of each year as Native American Heritage 

5 Day will underscore the government-to-government 

6 relationship between the United States and Native 

7 American governments; and 

8 (8) designation of Native American Heritage 

9 Day will encourage public elementary and secondary 

10 schools in the United States to enhance under11 standing of Native Americans by providing curricula 

12 and classroom instruction focusing on the achieve13 ments and contributions of Native Americans to the 

14 Nation. 

15 SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERIT16 AGE DAY. 

17 Congress— 

18 (1) designates Friday, November 28, 2008, as 

19 ‘‘Native American Heritage Day’’; and 

20 (2) encourages the people of the United States, 

21 as well as Federal, State, and local governments, 

22 and interested groups and organizations to observe 

23 Native American Heritage Day with appropriate 

24 programs, ceremonies, and activities, including ac25 tivities relating to— 
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1 (A) the historical status of Native Amer2 ican tribal governments as well as the present 

3 day status of Native Americans; 

4 (B) the cultures, traditions, and languages 

5 of Native Americans; and 

6 (C) the rich Native American cultural leg7 acy that all Americans enjoy today. 

Attest: 

Secretary. 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 62 

AMENDMENT