WASHINGTON – Senators John Hoeven (R-ND), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Tom Udall (D-NM), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced a Senate resolution to designate November as Native American Heritage Month.
“This month, we honor the history, culture, traditions, and achievements made by Native Americans to our great country,” Hoeven said. “There are 573 federally-recognized Indian Tribes, located in 35 states, and approximately 6.8 million Native people in the United States. Every Indian Tribe and individual Native American has a unique and rich story to share with our country. It is in this month that we recognize the importance of working together to improve the livelihood of native communities, which is represented by the work the Vice Chairman, members, and I support in the Committee,” Hoeven continued.
“This resolution recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month honors the countless ways Native American have shaped New Mexico and our national identity. It also challenges us to examine how we can better stand with Tribes to meet our trust and treaty obligations,” Udall said. “As vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, I am proud to represent the 23 Tribes from my home state of New Mexico and all Tribes across the country. It is an honor to work with Tribal leaders, Native communities, and people on both sides of the aisle to strengthen Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and self-governance each day,” Udall continued.
In addition to Hoeven and Udall, 29 additional senators joined as original co-sponsors of the resolution: Tammy Baldwin, John Barrasso, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Maria Cantwell, Catherine Cortez Masto, Mike Crapo, Dianne Feinstein, Kamala Harris, Martin Heinrich, Mazie Hirono, Tim Kaine, Angus King, Amy Klobuchar, James Lankford, Martha McSally, Jeff Merkley, Jerry Moran, Lisa Murkowski, Jacky Rosen, Mike Rounds, Brian Schatz, Chuck Schumer, Tina Smith, Jon Tester, Thom Tillis, Elizabeth Warren, Roger Wicker, and Ron Wyden.
-###-