Madeleine Bordallo: “I rise in support of H.R. 4766, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006. This is…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4766, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006. This is important legislation which seeks to protect, preserve, and promote indigenous languages across the United States. Among the estimated 175 indigenous languages spoken by citizens of the United States today is the Chamorro language, the indigenous language of the Chamorro people of Guam. Ethnographers and linguists recognize the Chamorro language as belonging to the western group of the Austronesian language family. The Chamorro language has been spoken by the Chamorro people for more than 5000 years. It is a beautiful language that has survived outside influences and westernization. Chamorro and English are the official languages of Guam. I am proud to support H.R. 4766 because it proposes to increase federal resources for Native American language immersion programs. The version of H.R. 4766 that has been brought to the House floor this evening also would amend the Native American Programs Act to authorize the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) in the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to organizations and colleges dedicated to Native American language preservation.”