For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 14, 2003
National American Indian Heritage Month, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
During National American Indian Heritage Month, we honor the
accomplishments and culture of American Indians and Alaska Natives and
recognize their contributions to our country. To help educate
Americans and illustrate the important role of these native people to
our Nation, the new National Museum of the American Indian will open
next year.
American Indians and Alaska Natives have a long tradition of
serving with pride and accomplishment in the United States Armed
Forces. Today, their patriotism is reflected in the more than 13,000
American Indians and Alaska Natives serving on active duty and the more
than 6,400 reservists. In Iraq, Specialist Lori Piestewa of the Army's
507th Maintenance Company and a member of the Hopi tribe, was the first
American servicewoman killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the only
known American Indian woman killed in action in any conflict. Her
bravery, service, and sacrifice are an inspiration to our men and women
in uniform and to all Americans.
To ensure the future success of America's tribal communities, my
Administration is committed to improving education, increasing
employment and economic development, and ensuring better access to
health and human services for all American Indians and Alaska natives.
Government-wide, we proposed in the 2004 Budget to spend over $11
billion on Native American programs. The Department of Education's
Office of Indian Education is working to implement the No Child Left
Behind Act of 2001 within the Native American community. Indian
tribes, schools, and local education agencies that serve American
Indian and Native Alaska children will have access to nearly $122
million in grants to improve education opportunities. In addition, the
Department of the Interior's 2004 program includes over $49 million for
America's tribal colleges and universities. This investment will help
American Indian students reach their full potential and achieve their
dreams. We are also working to address the healthcare needs of
American Indians, particularly the rising incidence of diabetes.
The United States has a strong relationship with American Indian
tribes and Alaska Native entities. By continuing to work on a
government-to-government basis with these tribal governments, we are
fostering greater understanding and promoting tribal self-determination
and self-governance.
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 2003 as
National American Indian Heritage Month. This month, I encourage
citizens to learn more about the rich heritage of American Indians and
Alaska Natives and the role they have played in building and sustaining
our Nation and to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and
activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day
of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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