III
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 900
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 24, 2026
Mr. Heinrich (for himself, Mr. Luján, Mr. King, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Warren, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Smith, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Booker) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of the second Monday in October 2026 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day
to celebrate and honor Indigenous Peoples and their shared history and culture.
Whereas currently over 200 municipalities, 17 States, and the District of Columbia celebrate or recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day
on the second Monday of October;
Whereas Columbus Day is a Federal holiday, established by Congress in 1968 (by the Act entitled An Act to provide for uniform annual observances of certain legal public holidays on Mondays, and for other purposes
, approved June 28, 1968 (82 Stat. 250)), and is officially recognized by some cities and States around the United States on the second Monday of October;
Whereas Columbus Day does not currently provide an opportunity to reflect on the stories and perseverance of the Indigenous Peoples of the lands that are now part of the United States;
Whereas, prior to Western contact, Indigenous Peoples lived and flourished in the lands that are now part of the United States for thousands of years;
Whereas Western contact with the lands that are now part of the United States led to the suppression, forced assimilation, and genocide of Indigenous Peoples and their cultures;
Whereas the Senate recognizes and values the vast contributions made to the United States by Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, science, philosophy, arts, and culture;
Whereas the Senate recognizes its responsibility to honor the history, traditions, and cultural contributions of the Indigenous Peoples of the United States; and
Whereas the second Monday in October 2026 would be an appropriate date to designate as Indigenous Peoples’ Day
: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
honors and recognizes the unique contributions Indigenous Peoples have made to the United States of America;
encourages the people of the United States to observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day
with appropriate ceremonies and activities that celebrate and promote awareness of Indigenous Peoples and their shared history and culture; and
supports the official designation of Indigenous Peoples' Day
as a Federal holiday.