Recognizing and honoring the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United States and urging the establishment and observation of a paid legal public holiday in honor of Native Americans.

Whereas Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the land that now constitutes the United States;

Whereas Native American tribal governments developed the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of powers that form the foundation of the United States Government;

Whereas Native Americans have traditionally exhibited respect for our finite natural resources through a deep reverence for the Earth;

Whereas Native Americans have served with valor in all of the Nation's wars from the Revolutionary War through Operation Iraqi Freedom;

Whereas the percentage of Native Americans who have served, relative to other population groups, has often significantly exceeded the percentage of their representation in the population of the United States as a whole, thus demonstrating the disproportionate commitment of Native Americans to the Nation;

Whereas Native Americans have made distinct and important contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and art, and they have distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars;

Whereas Native Americans deserve to be recognized for their individual contributions to the United States as local and national leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars;

Whereas nationwide recognition of the contributions of Native Americans to the United States will encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans about the significant role their ancestors and heritage have played in the formation of the freest country in the world, the United States;

Whereas such nationwide recognition will allow Americans of all backgrounds to demonstrate their respect of and admiration for Native Americans for the richness of their contributions to the political, cultural, and economic life of the United States; and

Whereas the establishment of a paid legal public holiday in honor of Native Americans will further demonstrate a strong united government-to-government relationship between each of the Native American Nations and the Federal Government: