IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 167
Recognizing and honoring the achievements and contributions of Native Amer-
icans 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 separa-
tion of powers that form the foundation of the United 
States Government; 
Whereas Native Americans have traditionally exhibited re-
spect for our finite natural resources through a deep rev-
erence for the Earth;
•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 sig-
nificantly exceeded the percentage of their representation 
in the population of the United States as a whole, thus 
demonstrating the disproportionate commitment of Na-
tive 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-es-
teem, 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 ad-
miration 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
•HRES 167 IH 
strong united government-to-government relationship be-
tween each of the Native American Nations and the Fed-
eral Government: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) recognizes and honors the achievements and 
contributions of Native Americans to the United 
States; 
(2) urges Congress to amend section 6103 of 
title 5, United States Code, or the President to issue 
an Executive order, to establish a paid legal public 
holiday in honor of Native Americans; 
(3) urges the several States, the District of Co-
lumbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and ter-
ritories and possessions of the United States to ob-
serve the date established as Native American Day 
as a paid legal public holiday; 
(4) encourages public elementary and secondary 
schools in the United States to enhance under-
standing of Native Americans by providing class-
room instruction focusing on their achievements and 
contributions to the United States; and 
(5) encourages Americans of all backgrounds to 
observe the date established as Native American 
Day through appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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