Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I want to stand in very strong support of the resolution introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) in order for all Americans and schools to learn about the role that Native Americans have played in American history and culture. I too want to associate my remarks to make sure that proper attention is drawn as we celebrate and honor their activities, that we also educate America about the conditions that Native Americans face today. I also want to take this opportunity to educate my colleagues about other indigenous populations under U.S. jurisdiction. One of the features of this debate, this discussion, is that the term Native American is primarily synonymous with American Indian, but I also want to let the House know that the term Native American, meaning indigenous American, also includes Alaska natives, native Hawaiians, American Samoans, the Chamorro people from Guam and the Northern Marianas and the Carolinian people of the Northern Marianas as well. Most Americans consider Native Americans to be limited to the term American Indian and Alaska native, but even in Federal legislation we acknowledge that the term Native American is broader than that.”