IV 

108TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 167

Recognizing and honoring the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States and urging the establishment and observation 

of a paid legal public holiday in honor of Native Americans. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 31, 2003

Mr. BACA (for himself and Mr. KILDEE) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Resources 

RESOLUTION

Recognizing and honoring the achievements and contributions 

of Native Americans to the United States and urging 

the establishment and observation of a paid legal public 

holiday in honor of Native Americans.

Whereas Native Americans were the original inhabitants of 

the land that now constitutes the United States; 

Whereas Native American tribal governments developed the 

fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of powers that form the foundation of the United 

States Government; 

Whereas Native Americans have traditionally exhibited respect for our finite natural resources through a deep reverence for the Earth; 
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•HRES 167 IH 

Whereas Native Americans have served with valor in all of 

the Nation’s wars from the Revolutionary War through 

Operation Iraqi Freedom; 

Whereas the percentage of Native Americans who have 

served, relative to other population groups, has often significantly exceeded the percentage of their representation 

in the population of the United States as a whole, thus 

demonstrating the disproportionate commitment of Native Americans to the Nation; 

Whereas Native Americans have made distinct and important 

contributions to the United States and the rest of the 

world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, 

music, language, and art, and they have distinguished 

themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, 

and scholars; 

Whereas Native Americans deserve to be recognized for their 

individual contributions to the United States as local and 

national leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars; 

Whereas nationwide recognition of the contributions of Native 

Americans to the United States will encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans 

about the significant role their ancestors and heritage 

have played in the formation of the freest country in the 

world, the United States; 

Whereas such nationwide recognition will allow Americans of 

all backgrounds to demonstrate their respect of and admiration for Native Americans for the richness of their 

contributions to the political, cultural, and economic life 

of the United States; and 

Whereas the establishment of a paid legal public holiday in 

honor of Native Americans will further demonstrate a 
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strong united government-to-government relationship between each of the Native American Nations and the Federal Government: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) recognizes and honors the achievements and 

3 contributions of Native Americans to the United 

4 States; 

5 (2) urges Congress to amend section 6103 of 

6 title 5, United States Code, or the President to issue 

7 an Executive order, to establish a paid legal public 

8 holiday in honor of Native Americans; 

9 (3) urges the several States, the District of Co10 lumbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and ter11 ritories and possessions of the United States to ob12 serve the date established as Native American Day 

13 as a paid legal public holiday; 

14 (4) encourages public elementary and secondary 

15 schools in the United States to enhance under16 standing of Native Americans by providing class17 room instruction focusing on their achievements and 

18 contributions to the United States; and 

19 (5) encourages Americans of all backgrounds to 

20 observe the date established as Native American 

21 Day through appropriate ceremonies and activities.

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