Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support S. 256, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act. The United States has a trust responsibility to support indigenous peoples in this country. The survival of indigenous peoples' languages is fundamental to the success of Native communities and the survival of traditional Native cultures. The history of the United States tells us about the deliberate efforts to eliminate indigenous peoples' languages and cultures through forced assimilation, boarding school forced attendance, treaties that have not been honored, and promises not kept. According to UNESCO, 74 Native languages stand to disappear within the next decade. Scholars project that only 20 Native languages will be spoken by the year 2050. The linguistic and cultural genocide is real and demands action. The Esther Martinez language program has been a tool that was created to address this stark reality. This language program is named in honor of a New Mexico Tewa teacher and storyteller, Esther Martinez, who is known and honored for her dedication and efforts in revitalizing her people's language. The Esther Martinez Initiative funds immersion programs that are successful in preserving and revitalizing Native languages, both to indigenous communities, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students.…”