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.

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 167 Introduced in House (IH)]

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;
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 strong united government-to-
government relationship between each of the Native American Nations and
the Federal 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 Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and territories and possessions of
the United States to observe 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 understanding of Native Americans
by providing classroom 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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