Native American Heritage Day Act of 2008

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 62, to honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States and for other purposes.

The strength of our Nation comes from its people; and as the early inhabitants of this great land, the native peoples of North America played a unique role in shaping our Nation's history and culture.

Native Americans are the descendants of the indigenous native people who were the original inhabitants and governors of the lands that now constitute the United States of America. It was their tribal governments that developed the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of powers. They're a model for those that formed the foundation of the United States Constitution.

The Founding Fathers based the provision of the Constitution on the unique system of democracy of the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Iroquois divided powers amongst the branches of government and provided for a system of checks and balances.

Native Americans have made a distinct and significant contribution to the United States and to the rest of the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, art, among other things. And Native Americans have distinguished themselves, as my friend Mr. Baca has noted, as inventors, as entrepreneurs, as spiritual leaders and scholars, among a few.

Their unique spiritual, artistic and literary contributions, together with their vibrant customs and celebrations, enliven and enrich our land today. As we move into the 21st century, Native Americans will play a vital role in maintaining our Nation's strength and prosperity.

Almost half of America's Native American tribal leaders have served in the United States Armed Forces, following in the footsteps of their forebears, who distinguished themselves during the world wars and the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.

Native Americans should be recognized for the contributions they have made to the fabric of our American society. This recognition will afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their respect and admiration of Native Americans for their important contributions to the political, the cultural, and the economic life of the United States.

The designation of Native American Heritage Day will encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the United States to enhance Americans by providing curricula and classroom instruction focusing on the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the Nation, and the designation of the Friday following Thanksgiving of each year as Native American Heritage Day will underscore the government-to- government relationship between the United States of America and Native American governments.

On this day we should call on all Americans to learn more about the history and the heritage of the native peoples of this great land. Such actions reaffirm our appreciation and most certainly our respect for their traditions and their way of life, and can help to preserve an important part of our culture for generations yet to come.

Mr. Speaker, I join my friend and colleague, Representative Baca, in supporting the resolution and ask my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

We have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution that commemorates the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign. I am honored to again seek the Senate's continuing support and recognition of Red Ribbon Week, which is October 23 through October 31.

In 1985, Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena of the Drug Enforcement Administration was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in the line of duty by drug traffickers. Shortly after Agent Camarena's death, Congressman Duncan Hunter and high school friend Henry Lozano launched ``Camarena Clubs'' in the Agent's hometown of Calexico, CA. In honor of Agent Camarena, hundreds of club members wore red ribbons and pledged to lead drug-free lives. The campaign quickly gained statewide and then national prominence. In 1988, what is now the National Family Partnership organized the first National Red Ribbon Week, an 8-day event proclaimed by the Congress and chaired by then President and Mrs. Reagan.

This campaign is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the Nation, reaching millions of youth through Red Ribbon Week events. Red Ribbon Week memorializes Agent Camarena, and all those who have lost their lives in the war on drugs, by educating young people about the dangers of drug abuse, promoting drug-free activities, and supporting everyone who has stood strong against illicit drugs. The Red Ribbon that we will wear during Red Ribbon Week is a symbol of zero tolerance for illegal drug use and our commitment to help people, especially children, make the right life-decisions.

In Alaska, Red Ribbon Week is a statewide celebration involving thousands of school children and other supporters. On October 27, the Alaska Red Ribbon Coalition, in conjunction with the municipality of Anchorage, will host a Red Ribbon Week kickoff. The Red Ribbon Coalition is comprised of the Anchorage School District, the Alaska State Troopers, the Anchorage Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Forty- three Boys & Girls Clubs across Alaska will help other Alaskan communities celebrate Red Ribbon Week throughout the State.

In addition, this year, the Red Ribbon Coalition, the Alaska National Guard, and the Iditarod Trail Committee are sponsoring the first ever Anchorage School District Idol whereby every junior high and high school in Anchorage will hold local talent competitions and select one act to move to a final competition. The acts will be judged based, among other things, on their drug-free themes, and the final competition will be held as part of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race festivities in March 2009. The plan is to broadcast the event to the students in all 50 States and across the globe who participate in the Iditarod Education Program, thus extending the reach of the 2008 Red Ribbon Week into 2009, and sharing Anchorage's Red Ribbon Week antidrug message and celebrations with the Nation and the world.

As we stand together against drugs, I thank my colleagues for joining me in what hopefully will be a continuation of the tradition of congressional support and recognition of Red Ribbon Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 62, the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2007. I commend my colleague Representative Baca for introducing this resolution and am honored to be an original cosponsor of the legislation. This is a much needed resolution that recognizes the vital contributions of Native Americans to the history of our Nation.

I only need to acknowledge my own heritage to know that the steps to build the bridge of understanding and diplomacy with the Native Americans and other minorities have been inadequate in this country. This legislation proves that we live in a nation that is great for being able to reflect accurately and recognize the history of its own oppressed people.

This bill considers the Friday after Thanksgiving as the appropriate day for the Native American Heritage Day. The timing for this day could not be more appropriate than during a weekend of celebration and giving thanks. It is only right that the original inhabitants of our nation be duly recognized in conjunction with this important celebration.

Mr. Speaker, a specific day of recognition will allow future generations to appropriately recognize and admire Native Americans for their important contributions to all aspects of the American life. For too long, this assistance in the development of our nation has been overlooked.

This day of heritage does not only exhibit proper respect for the indigenous people of

our Nation, but paves the way for tremendous educational opportunities. The implementation of this bill would greatly increase awareness and respect for Native Americans through culturally competent incorporation of their historic contributions into our educational institutions. Taking such action is absolutely essential for our educational curriculum in order to develop progressive young people who can propel our society above intolerance.

Mr. Speaker, there are numerous Congressional findings about the contributions and achievements that the Native Americans have made to the United States that have not been fully realized by the general public. Many aspects of our government, culture, and society have ultimately been derived from Native Americans. Their ideals of checks and balances, freedom of speech, and separation of governmental powers were essential to the foundation of our nation's policies. Native Americans have, and continue to contribute revolutionary advancements in many fields such as agriculture, medicine, and music just to name a few.

Mr. Speaker, this formal recognition is long overdue. Native Americans of this country deserve such recognition without delay. It is absolutely necessary to set at least a moment in our way of life to acknowledge the roots of our democracy.

I urge my colleagues to wholeheartedly support this resolution and other initiatives for the proper recognition of Native Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Bishop for allowing me to bring up this legislation.

I rise today in support of establishing a tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United States.

My bill, H.J. Res. 62, encourages all Americans to recognize the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.

I want to thank Chairman George Miller, Ranking Member Don Young, Representatives Dale Kildee and Ruben Hinojosa for their continued support for this bill.

Since my time in the California legislature, I've been a strong advocate to help preserve the legacy of Native Americans. It's important that we recognize their contributions to all aspects of our society, from our government to our language to history.

My bill encourages public elementary and secondary schools to enhance student understanding of Native Americans. We need more classroom instruction to focus on the history, culture and achievements and traditions of Native Americans.

Native Americans and their ancestors have played a critical role in the establishment of the freest country in the world. They have fought with valor and have died in every American war dating back to the Revolutionary War to the current wars. We in Congress must encourage greater awareness of the significant roles they have played in our national history.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I'm honored that Native Americans will be honored on this day.

Mr. Speaker, I support H. J. Res. 62, the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2008, which I authored. This bill will help pay tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United States by encouraging all Americans to recognize the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.

I thank Senator Daniel Inouye, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Chairman George Miller, Representative Dale Kildee, and the NIGA for their help on this bill.

I have been a strong advocate for Native Americans and have fought hard to preserve their heritage for the past 8 years that I have served in Congress and since my time in the California legislature.

It is important that we recognize the contributions of Native Americans in all aspects of our society, including government, language and history. We must not forget that Native Americans have fought with valor in every American war, dating back to the Revolutionary War.

My bill encourages public schools to teach Native American history and culture.

I also want to thank Tribal Chairman James Ramos of the San Manuel Tribe for helping us create this bill. This bill represents the first time in history that Congress is recognizing the great achievements of Native Americans in this manner.

I thank my colleagues for supporting this legislation.