President Bush Declares Nov American Indian Heritage Month

[Guest guest]

President Bush Declares Nov American Indian Heritage Month

 

National American Indian Heritage Month, 2004

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

NOVEMBER 4,2004

 

Laura Bush visits the Smithsonian National Museum of the American

Indian with director Rick West in celebration of her birthday

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004 in Washington, D.C.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/11/images/20041104-

11_mrsbushky2q0074-515h.jpg

 

As the first people to call our country home, American Indians and

Alaska Natives have a noble history in this land and have long

shaped our Nation. During National American Indian Heritage Month,

we celebrate our commitment to respect and preserve the rich Native

American traditions and cultures.

 

The enduring experiences of tribal communities are a cherished part

of our national story. In September, I was proud to meet with tribal

leaders and celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian Institution's

National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall in

Washington, D.C. This new facility stands as a powerful symbol of

the pride and vitality of our Native Peoples. The museum showcases

masterworks of great cultural, historical, and spiritual

significance. Through exhibits documenting past and present

achievements and hopes for the future, it will intro-duce

generations of visitors to the strong and living traditions of

Native Americans. As a center for scholarship and learning, the

National Museum of the American Indian will also advance

understanding of the diversity that makes our Nation great.

 

My Administration is committed to helping Native Americans as they

build on their proud legacy. With the funding of my 2005 budget, we

will have provided the Bureau of Indian Affairs with more than $1.1

billion for school construction and repairs during the past 4 years.

To improve education for American Indian and Alaska Native children,

I signed an executive order establishing an Interagency Working

Group to help students meet the standards set by the No Child Left

Behind Act of 2001 in a manner that is consistent with tribal

traditions, languages, and cultures. By setting standards for

academic achievement and cultural learning, Americans in all

communities can help their children realize a brighter future. I

also signed an executive memorandum to all Federal agencies

affirming the Federal Government's continuing commitment to

recognize tribal sovereignty and self-determination. As they have in

the past, tribal governments will maintain jurisdiction over their

lands, systems of self-governance, and government-to-government

relationships with the United States.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of

America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution

and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2004 as

National American Indian Heritage Month. I encourage all Americans

to commemorate this month with appro-priate programs and activities

and to learn more about the rich heritage of American Indians and

Alaska Natives.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of

November, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and

twenty-ninth.

 

GEORGE W. BUSH

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