Senate Passes Campbell Resolutions Honoring Natives
Washington, D.C. - On October 24, 2003, the U.S. Senate passed two resolutions
introduced by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) honoring the
contributions of Native Americans to the United States. Senate Resolution
239 designates November 7, 2003 as "National Native American Veterans Day",
and Senate Resolution 240 designates November, 2003, as "National American
Indian Heritage Month". No further action is needed and the resolutions now
have the force of law.
Native Americans have served alongside or in the United States military in
every major action from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and have a higher rate
of service than any other demographic group. "American Indians have always
had a long tradition of bravery in war, and that legacy was carried forward
in service to our nation," said Campbell, the Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Indian Affairs.
Probably the most celebrated of the many Indian soldiers were the "Navajo
Code Talkers"; men recruited by the U.S. military to relay coded messages
based on their native tongue in the Pacific theater in World War II. The
language was too obscure and complex for the enemy to decipher intercepted
radio transmissions, but because the soldiers were bilingual, messages
could be communicated quickly and accurately.
With regard to American Indian Heritage Month, Campbell said that "November
is the time when all Americans traditionally give thanks for their many
blessings, but were it not for the eastern Indian tribes like the Wampanoag,
there never would have been a first Thanksgiving – and maybe not a United
States." The Wampanoag are credited with supporting the Pilgrims during
their first harsh winter of 1620. Without the Indians' help, the fledgling
community might have perished.
"I believe it is important for Americans to recognize that there were
extensive civilizations in America long before the Europeans landed on
these shores," said Campbell. Senate Resolution 240 cites the achievements
of America's Native people as artists, athletes, scholars, and demonstrated
experts in the fields of agriculture, medicine, music, language
and the arts.
"American Indians were dispossessed of their land and assets, but never
of their spirit or dignity. They are the heirs of an ancient tradition that
the rest of the nation would do well to observe and learn from."
Campbell is the only American Indian serving in the United States Senate.
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CONTACT: Paul Moorehead 202-224-2251
October 28, 2003