H.J.Res. 577 (101^st): To authorize and request the President to proclaim the month of November 1990, and thereafter as “Native American Indian Heritage Month”.

H.J.Res.577

--H.J.Res.577--

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the twenty-third day of January,

one thousand nine hundred and ninety

Joint Resolution

Designating the month of November 1990 as ‘National American Indian Heritage

Month’.

Whereas American Indians were the original inhabitants of the lands that now constitute the United States of America;

Whereas American Indians have made an essential and unique contribution to our Nation, not the least of which is the contribution of most of the land which now comprises these United States;

Whereas American Indians have made essential contributions to the world, including prehistoric cultivation and harvesting of corn and sweet potatoes;

Whereas the people of the United States should be reminded of the assistance given to the early European visitors to North America by the ancestors of today’s American Indians, including knowledge and training provided to the pilgrims in survival, hunting, and cultivation, and fertilization of indigenous crops;

Whereas the people and Government of the United States should be reminded of the assistance given to this country’s Founding Fathers by the ancestors of today’s American Indians, including the support the original inhabitants provided to George Washington and his troops during the winter of 1777-1778, which they spent in Valley Forge;

Whereas the people and Government of the United States should be reminded that certain concepts such as freedom of speech, the separation of powers in government, and the balance of power within government, all of which were found in the political systems of various American Indian nations, influenced the formulation of the Government of the United States of America;

Whereas the Members of the Senate and House of Representatives believe that a resolution and proclamation of the nature requested in this resolution can encourage activities which provide positive benefits of enhanced self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness to young American Indians;

Whereas the approaching 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Western Hemisphere provides an opportunity for the people of the United States to consider and reflect on our Nation’s current relationship with our American Indians; and

Whereas the month of November concludes the traditional harvest season of American Indians and was generally a time of celebration and giving thanks: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the month of November 1990 is designated as ‘National American Indian Heritage Month’, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon Federal, State, and local governments, interested groups and organizations, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.

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