Recognizing the contributions of Native American veterans and calling upon the President to issue a proclamation urging the people of the United States to observe a day in honor of Native American veterans.

Whereas there are 195,871 Native American veterans in the United States;

Whereas Native Americans have participated for over 200 years in United States military actions;

Whereas the participation of Native Americans in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the Spanish-America War was significant;

Whereas in World War I, it is estimated that more than 12,000 Native Americans served the United States Armed Forces;

Whereas more than 44,000 Native Americans served in the Armed Forces during World War II, in both the European and Pacific fronts, representing a substantial portion of the 350,000 Native Americans then living in the United States;

Whereas Native Americans fought in the Korean conflict, and more than 42,000 Native Americans fought in the Vietnam War, 90 percent of whom served as volunteers;

Whereas Native Americans also provided significant contributions in the military operations in Grenada and Panama and the Persian Gulf War in 1980s and 1990s; and

Whereas Native Americans should also be recognized for their participation in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom: Now, therefore, be it