Posts
Along with the President’s statement below, please check out this wonderful blog by Secretary Ken Salazar on the passage of the Claims Settlement Act of 2010 at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/11/30/fulfilling-our-promise-indian-country.
Have a great Wednesday!
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2010
Statement by the President on House Passage of the Claims Settlement Act of 2010
I am pleased that today, the House has joined the Senate in passing the Claims Settlement Act of 2010. This important legislation will fund the agreements reached in the Pigford II lawsuit, brought by African American farmers, and the Cobell lawsuit, brought by Native Americans over the management of Indian trust accounts and resources. I want to thank Attorney General Holder and Secretaries Salazar and Vilsack for all their work to reach this outcome, and I applaud Congress for acting in a bipartisan fashion to bring this painful chapter in our nation’s history to a close.
This bill also provides funding for settlements reached in four separate water rights suits brought by Native American tribes, and it represents a significant step forward in addressing the water needs of Indian Country. Yet, while today’s vote demonstrates important progress, we must remember that much work remains to be done. And my Administration will continue our efforts to resolve claims of past discrimination made by women and Hispanic farmers and others in a fair and timely manner.
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The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Washington DC 20500 • 202-456-1111
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Proclamation By the President of the United States
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release October 29, 2010
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2010
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
For millennia before Europeans settled in North America,
the indigenous peoples of this continent flourished with vibrant
cultures and were the original stewards of the land. From
generation to generation, they handed down invaluable cultural
knowledge and rich traditions, which continue to thrive in
Native American communities across our country today. During
National Native American Heritage Month, we honor and celebrate
their importance to our great Nation and our world.
America's journey has been marked both by bright times
of progress and dark moments of injustice for American Indians
and Alaska Natives. Since the birth of America, they have
contributed immeasurably to our country and our heritage,
distinguishing themselves as scholars, artists, entrepreneurs,
and leaders in all aspects of our society. Native Americans
have also served in the United States Armed Forces with honor
and distinction, defending the security of our Nation with
their lives. Yet, our tribal communities face stark realities,
including disproportionately high rates of poverty,
unemployment, crime, and disease. These disparities are
unacceptable, and we must acknowledge both our history and our
current challenges if we are to ensure that all of our children
have an equal opportunity to pursue the American dream. From
upholding the tribal sovereignty recognized and reaffirmed in
our Constitution and laws to strengthening our unique nation-to nation
relationship, my Administration stands firm in fulfilling
our Nation's commitments.
Over the past 2 years, we have made important steps towards
working as partners with Native Americans to build sustainable
and healthy native communities. The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act continues to impact the lives of American
Indians and Alaska Natives, including through important projects
to improve, rebuild, and renovate schools so our children can
get the education and skills they will need to compete in the
global economy. At last year's White House Tribal Nations
Conference, I also announced a new consultation process to
improve communication and coordination between the Federal
Government and tribal governments.
This year, I was proud to sign the landmark Affordable
Care Act, which permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act, a cornerstone of health care for American
more
(OVER)
2
Indians and Alaska Natives. This vital legislation will help
modernize the Indian health care system and improve health care
for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. To
combat the high rates of crime and sexual violence in Native
communities, I signed the Tribal Law and Order Act in July to
bolster tribal law enforcement and enhance their abilities to
prosecute and fight crime more effectively. And, recently, my
Administration reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by
Native American farmers against the United States Department of
Agriculture that underscores our commitment to treat all our
citizens fairly.
As we celebrate the contributions and heritage of
Native Americans during this month, we also recommit to
supporting tribal self-determination, security, and prosperity
for all Native Americans. While we cannot erase the scourges
or broken promises of our past, we will move ahead together in
writing a new, brighter chapter in our joint history.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States,
do hereby proclaim November 2010 as National Native American
Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this
month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate
November 26, 2010, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord
two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
# # #
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release October 29, 2010
NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2010
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
For millennia before Europeans settled in North America,
the indigenous peoples of this continent flourished with vibrant
cultures and were the original stewards of the land. From
generation to generation, they handed down invaluable cultural
knowledge and rich traditions, which continue to thrive in
Native American communities across our country today. During
National Native American Heritage Month, we honor and celebrate
their importance to our great Nation and our world.
America's journey has been marked both by bright times
of progress and dark moments of injustice for American Indians
and Alaska Natives. Since the birth of America, they have
contributed immeasurably to our country and our heritage,
distinguishing themselves as scholars, artists, entrepreneurs,
and leaders in all aspects of our society. Native Americans
have also served in the United States Armed Forces with honor
and distinction, defending the security of our Nation with
their lives. Yet, our tribal communities face stark realities,
including disproportionately high rates of poverty,
unemployment, crime, and disease. These disparities are
unacceptable, and we must acknowledge both our history and our
current challenges if we are to ensure that all of our children
have an equal opportunity to pursue the American dream. From
upholding the tribal sovereignty recognized and reaffirmed in
our Constitution and laws to strengthening our unique nation-to nation
relationship, my Administration stands firm in fulfilling
our Nation's commitments.
Over the past 2 years, we have made important steps towards
working as partners with Native Americans to build sustainable
and healthy native communities. The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act continues to impact the lives of American
Indians and Alaska Natives, including through important projects
to improve, rebuild, and renovate schools so our children can
get the education and skills they will need to compete in the
global economy. At last year's White House Tribal Nations
Conference, I also announced a new consultation process to
improve communication and coordination between the Federal
Government and tribal governments.
This year, I was proud to sign the landmark Affordable
Care Act, which permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act, a cornerstone of health care for American
more
(OVER)
2
Indians and Alaska Natives. This vital legislation will help
modernize the Indian health care system and improve health care
for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. To
combat the high rates of crime and sexual violence in Native
communities, I signed the Tribal Law and Order Act in July to
bolster tribal law enforcement and enhance their abilities to
prosecute and fight crime more effectively. And, recently, my
Administration reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by
Native American farmers against the United States Department of
Agriculture that underscores our commitment to treat all our
citizens fairly.
As we celebrate the contributions and heritage of
Native Americans during this month, we also recommit to
supporting tribal self-determination, security, and prosperity
for all Native Americans. While we cannot erase the scourges
or broken promises of our past, we will move ahead together in
writing a new, brighter chapter in our joint history.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States,
do hereby proclaim November 2010 as National Native American
Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this
month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate
November 26, 2010, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord
two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
# # #
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