Congressional Record -- Senate
Wednesday, September 16, 1987 100th Cong. 1st Sess.133 Cong Rec S 12214
REFERENCE: Vol. 133 No. 140

TITLE: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 76 -- TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY OF NATIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND TO REAFFIRM THE CONTINUING GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIAN TRIBES AND THE UNITED STATES
ESTABLISHED IN THE CONSTITUTION

TEXT: Mr. INOUYE, for himself, Mr. Evans, Mr. DeConcini, Mr. Burdick, Mr. McCain, Mr. Adams, Mr. Boren, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Cranston, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. Dole, Mr. Ford, Mr. Fowler, Mr. Levin, Mr. Pell, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reid, Mr. Riegle, and Mr. Stafford) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Select Committee on Indian Affairs:

S. CON RES. 76
Whereas, the original framers of the Constitution, including most notably, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, are known to have greatly admired the concepts, principles and governmental practices of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy; and,

Whereas, the Confederation of the original thirteen colonies into one Republic was explicitly modeled upon the Iroquois Confederacy as were many of the democratic principles which were incorporated into the Constitution itself; and,

Whereas, since the formation of the United States, the Congress has recognized the sovereign status of Indian Tribes, and has, through the exercise of powers reserved to the Federal Government in the Commerce Clause of the Constitution (art. I, s8, cl. 3), dealt with Indian Tribes on a government-to-government basis and has, through the Treaty Clause (art. II, s2, cl. 2), entered into 370 treaties with Indian tribal nations; and,

Whereas, from the first treaty entered into with an Indian nation, the Treaty with the Delaware Indians of September 17, 1778, and thereafter in every Indian Treaty until the cessation of treaty-making in 1871, the Congress has assumed a trust responsibility and obligation to Indian Tribes and their members to "exercise the utmost good faith in dealings with the Indians" as provided for in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, (1 Stat. 50); and,

Whereas, Congress has consistently reaffirmed these fundamental policies over the past 200 years through legislation specifically designed to honor this special relationship; and,

Whereas, the judicial system of the United States has consistently recognized and reaffirmed this special relationship: Now, therefore be it

RESOLVED BY THE SENATE (THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESCONCURRING), That:

(1) The Congress, on the occasion of the 200^th Anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution, acknowledges the historical debt which this Republic of the United States of America owes to the Iroquois Confederacy and other Indian Nations for their demonstration of enlightened, democratic principles of government and their example of a free association of independent Indian nations;

(2) The Congress also hereby reaffirms the constitutionally recognized government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes which has historically been the cornerstone of this nation's official Indian policy;

(3) The Congress specifically acknowledges and reaffirm the trust responsibility and obligation of the United States Government to Indian Tribes, including Alaska Natives, for their preservation, protection and enhancement, including the provision of health,
education, social and economic assistance programs as necessary, to assist Tribes to perform their governmental responsibility to provide for the social and economic well-being of their members and to preserve tribal cultural identity and heritage; and

(4) The Congress also acknowledges the need to exercise the utmost good faith in upholding its treaties with the various Tribes, as the Tribes understood them to be, and the duty of a Great Nation to uphold its legal and moral obligations for the benefit of all of its citizens so that they and their posterity may also continue to enjoy the rights they have enshrined in the United States Constitution for time immemorial.

HOUSE RESOLUTION 168 on June 18, 2001

Washington, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives passed by unanimous consent legislation sponsored by California Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) to recognize Native Americans. House Resolution 168 asks schools to recognize the contributions Native Americans have made to American history, culture, and education. This resolution is the first step towards seeking a Native American holiday on the fourth Friday in September; similar to legislation created and enacted while in the California legislature. Congressman Baca is the sponsor of House Resolution 101 which establishes a legal public holiday to celebrate Native Americans.

"That is why I am proud to be a member of the congressional Native American caucus. Native Americans have shown their willingness to fight and die for this nation in foreign lands. They honor the American flag at every powwow and at many gatherings and remember all veterans through song, music, and dance. This is about proud Americans who have given so much to this country," said Congressman Baca. "We must educate and sensitize our children about Native Americans and what they have done for our nation. This resolution is about justice! It is about teaching and educating our students, parents and society about Native Americans! It is about the debt created by the near extermination of their race! It is about making at least some amends for the unspeakable harm we have done to a proud and noble people. By recognizing and honoring them, maybe we can start healing the wounds created by a history of distrust and genocide!" Congressman Baca said, "this is just the beginning, we will continue the struggle, fight the fight, we will not stop, we will not rest, until there is a Native American holiday!"

HOUSE RESOLUTION 168

107th CONGRESS, 1st Session , H. RES. 168

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Nation's schools should honor Native Americans for their contributions to American history, culture, and education.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 18, 2001

Mr. BACA (for himself, Mr. PALLONE, Ms. MCKINNEY, Mr. LANGEVIN, Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma, Mr. HALL of Ohio, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. REYES, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. HONDA, Mr. FILNER, Mrs. CAPPS, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. ENGLISH, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. KIND, Mr. FROST, Mr. STUPAK, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. FARR of California, and Mr. MCDERMOTT) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Nation's schools should honor Native Americans for their contributions to American history, culture, and education.

Whereas Native Americans have given much to this country;

Whereas an emphasis on freedom, justice, patriotism, and representative government have always been elements of Native American culture;

Whereas Native Americans have shown their willingness to fight and die for this Nation in foreign lands;

Whereas Native Americans honor the American flag at every powwow and at many gatherings and remember all veterans through song, music, and dance;

Whereas Native Americans honor, through song, the men and women of this country who have fought for freedom;

Whereas Native Americans love the land that has nurtured their parents, grandparents, and unnamed elders since the beginning of their recorded history; and

Whereas Native Americans honor the Earth that has brought life to the people since time immemorial:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Nation's schools should honor Native Americans for their contributions to American history, culture, and education.