A resolution designating November 2003 as "National American Indian Heritage Month".

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 23, 2003, at 10:30 a.m., in executive session to discuss pending military nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on October 23, 2003, at 10 a.m. to conduct a hearing on Proposals for Improving the Regulation of the Housing GSEs.

The Committee will also vote on the nominations of the Hon. Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., of Massachusetts, to be Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; the Hon. Ben. S. Bernanke, of New Jersey, to be a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and the Hon. Paul S. Atkins, of Virginia, to be a member of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be authorized to meet on Thursday, October 23, 2003, on pending Committee business off the floor in the President's room, immediately after the first vote of the day.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Environment and Public Works be authorized to meet on Thursday, October 23 at 9:30 a.m. to consider S. 994, the Chemical Security Act of 2003, and S. 1757, the John F. Kennedy Center Act.

The business meeting will be held in SD 406.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Thursday, October 23, 2003, at 2 p.m., to hear testimony on Company Owned Life Insurance.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 23, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., to hold a hearing on Post 9/11 Visa Policy.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be authorized to meet for a hearing on Federal and State Role in Pharmacy Compounding and Reconstitution: Exploring the Right Mix to Protect Patients during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 23, 2003, at 10 a.m. in SD- 430.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a markup on Thursday, October 23, 2003, at 9:30 a.m. in Dirksen Room 226.

Agenda:

I. Nominations: Henry W. Saad to be United States Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit; Dora L. Irazarry to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York; Dale S. Fischer to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California; Gary L. Sharpe to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York; and William K. Sessions III to be a Member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

II. Bills: S. 1545, Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2003 (the DREAM Act) [Hatch, Durbin, Craig, DeWine, Feingold, Feinstein, Grassley, Kennedy, Leahy, Schumer]; S. 1720, A bill to provide for Federal court proceedings in Plano, Texas [Cornyn]; S. 1743, Private Security Officer Employment Authorization Act of 2003 [Levin, Schumer]; S. 1194, Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2003 [DeWine, Durbin, Grassley, Hatch, Leahy]; S. Res. 239, Designating November 7, 2003, as ``National Native American Veterans Day'' to honor the service of Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces and the contribution of Native Americans to the defense of the United States [Campbell]; and S. Res. 240, A resolution designating November 2003 as ``National American Indian Heritage Month'' [Campbell, Hatch].

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, October 23, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine be authorized to meet on Thursday, October 23, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. Railroad Shipper Issues and S. 919, Railroad Competition Act of 2003.

Mr. President, today I am pleased to be joined by Senators Inouye, Dorgan, Bingaman, Johnson, Domenici, McCain, Thomas and Hatch in submitting a resolution to recognize the many contributions American Indians and Alaska Natives have made to our great Nation and to designate November, 2003, as ``National American Indian Heritage Month'' as Congress has done for nearly a decade.

Native people have left an indelible imprint on many aspects of our everyday life that most Americans take for granted. The arts, education, science, the armed forces, medicine, industry, and government are a few of the areas that have been influenced by American Indian and Alaska Native people over the last 500 years.

In the medical field, many of the healing remedies that we use today derive from practices used first by Native people hundreds of years before we incorporated them into western medicine.

Native people revere the natural environment, have great respect for elders and veterans, and cherish the family which is the center of Indian life and culture. These values are deeply rooted, strongly embraced and thrive with generation after generation of Native people.

From the difficult days of Valley Forge through our peace keeping efforts around the world today, American Indian and Alaska Native people have proudly served and dedicated their lives in the military readiness and defense of our country in wartime and in peace. It is a fact that on a per capita basis, Native participation rate in the armed Forces outstrips the rates of all other groups in the Nation.

Many Native men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the Nation, some before they were granted citizenship in 1924.

Many of the words in our language have been borrowed from Native languages, including many of the names of the rivers, cities, and States across America. Indian arts and crafts have also made a distinct impression on our heritage.

By designating November 2003, as ``National American Indian Heritage Month'' we will continue to encourage self-esteem, pride, and self- awareness among American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages and remind all Americans of the contributions of the Native people of this great land.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 240, designating National American Indian Heritage Month.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record.