Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native Americans to the United States.

This resolution supports the recognition of National Native American Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Day.

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 900 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 900

Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the 
  heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of 
                 Native Americans to the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 30, 2023

  Mr. Grijalva (for himself, Mrs. Peltola, Ms. Davids of Kansas, Mr. 
    Cole, Ms. Leger Fernandez, and Mr. Joyce of Ohio) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
                           and Accountability

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the 
  heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of 
                 Native Americans to the United States.

Whereas, from November 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023, the United States 
        celebrates National Native American Heritage Month;
Whereas National Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to consider 
        and recognize the contributions of Native Americans to the history of 
        the United States;
Whereas Native Americans are descendants of the original, indigenous inhabitants 
        of what is now the United States;
Whereas the Bureau of the Census estimates that, as of the 2020 census, 
        9,700,000 Americans identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, 
        alone or in combination;
Whereas Native Americans maintain vibrant cultures and traditions and hold a 
        deeply rooted sense of community;
Whereas Native Americans have moving stories of tragedy, triumph, and 
        perseverance that need to be shared with future generations;
Whereas Native Americans speak and preserve indigenous languages, which have 
        contributed to the English language by being used as names of 
        individuals and locations throughout the United States;
Whereas Congress has consistently reaffirmed the support for Tribal self-
        governance and self-determination and the commitment of the United 
        States to improving the lives of all Native Americans by--

    (1) enhancing health care and law enforcement resources; and

    (2) improving the housing and socioeconomic status of Native Americans;

Whereas the United States is committed to strengthening the government-to-
        government relationship that the United States has maintained with the 
        various Indian Tribes;
Whereas Congress has recognized the contributions and influence of Tribal 
        Nations on the Founding Fathers in the drafting of the Constitution of 
        the United States with the concepts of--

    (1) freedom of speech;

    (2) the separation of governmental powers; and

    (3) the system of checks and balances between the branches of 
government;

Whereas, with the enactment of the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 
        (Public Law 111-33; 123 Stat. 1922), Congress--

    (1) reaffirmed the government-to-government relationship between the 
United States and Native American governments; and

    (2) recognized the important contributions of Native Americans to the 
culture of the United States;

Whereas Native Americans have made distinct and important contributions to the 
        United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including the 
        fields of agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art;
Whereas Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, 
        entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars;
Whereas Native Americans have served with honor and distinction in the Armed 
        Forces and continue to serve in the Armed Forces in greater numbers per 
        capita than any other group in the United States;
Whereas the United States has recognized the contribution of the Native American 
        code talkers in World War I and World War II, who used indigenous 
        languages as an unbreakable military code, saving countless lives in the 
        United States; and
Whereas the people of the United States have reason to honor the great 
        achievements and contributions of Native Americans and their ancestors: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the recognition of ``National Native American 
        Heritage Month'';
            (2) supports the recognition of ``Native American Heritage 
        Day'' in accordance with section 2(10) of the Native American 
        Heritage Day Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-33; 123 Stat. 1923); 
        and
            (3) urges the people of the United States to observe 
        National Native American Heritage Month and Native American 
        Heritage Day with appropriate programs and activities.
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