Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009

by the 111th Congress of the United States

111^TH UNITED STATES CONGRESS
1^ST SESSION

Joint Resolution
To honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States, and for other purposes.

---

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Section 1. Short Title.

This Act may be cited as the “Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009”.

Sec. 2. Findings.

Congress finds that—

(1) Native Americans are the descendants of the aboriginal, indigenous, native people who were the original inhabitants of and who governed the lands that now constitute the United States;

(2) Native Americans have volunteered to serve in the United States Armed Forces and have served with valor in all of the Nation’s military actions from the Revolutionary War through the present day, and in most of those actions, more Native Americans per capita served in the Armed Forces than any other group of Americans;

(3) Native American tribal governments included the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of governmental powers;

(4) Native Americans have made distinct and significant contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art, and Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars;

(5) Native Americans should be recognized for their contributions to the United States as local and national leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;

(6) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native Americans have made to the fabric of American society will afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their respect and admiration of Native Americans for their important contributions to the political, cultural, and economic life of the United States;

(7) nationwide recognition of the contributions that Native Americans have made to the Nation will encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all ages;

(8) 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 and Native American governments;

(9) designation of Native American Heritage Day will encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the United States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by providing curricula and classroom instruction focusing on the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the Nation; and

(10) the Friday immediately succeeding Thanksgiving Day of each year would be an appropriate day to designate as Native American Heritage Day.

Sec. 3. Honoring Native American Heritage in the United States.

Congress encourages the people of the United States, as well as Federal, State, and local governments, and interested groups and organizations to honor Native Americans, with activities relating to—

(1) appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to observe Native American Heritage Day;

(2) the historical status of Native American tribal governments as well as the present day status of Native Americans;

(3) the cultures, traditions, and languages of Native Americans; and

(4) the rich Native American cultural legacy that all Americans enjoy today.

Approved June 26, 2009.

Legislative History

• H.J.Res. 40, (H.J.Res. 20)

• CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 155 (2009):
  • June 6, considered and passed House.
  • June 9, considered and passed Senate.