Expressing support for the designation of the second Monday in October as "Indigenous Peoples' Day" to celebrate and honor indigenous peoples and their shared history and culture.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 627 Expressing support for the designation of the second Monday in October as ‘‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’’ to celebrate and honor indigenous peoples and their shared history and culture. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OCTOBER 11, 2019 Mrs. TORRES of California (for herself, Ms. HAALAND, Mr. YOUNG, Ms. DA- VIDS of Kansas, and Ms. MCCOLLUM) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of the second Monday in October as ‘‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’’ to celebrate and honor indigenous peoples and their shared history and culture. Whereas ‘‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’’ was first proposed in 1977, by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations International Conference on Discrimination against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; Whereas currently over 50 municipalities and 10 States cele- brate ‘‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’’ on the second Monday of October; Whereas Columbus Day is a Federal holiday, established by order of President Roosevelt in 1937, and is officially rec- VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:04 Oct 11, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR627.IH HR627 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 627 IH ognized by some cities and States around the country on the second Monday of October; Whereas Columbus Day does not currently provide an oppor- tunity to reflect on the colonization of North America by Europeans; Whereas prior to colonization, indigenous peoples lived and flourished in the Americas for thousands of years; Whereas the European colonization of North America led to the suppression, forced assimilation, and genocide of in- digenous peoples and their cultures; Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes and values the vast contributions made to the United States by in- digenous peoples’ knowledge, science, philosophy, arts, and culture; Whereas it is the responsibility of the House of Representa- tives to foster inclusivity, racial equity, and justice for all people and oppose systemic practices that perpetuate op- pression; Whereas the House of Representatives recognizes its respon- sibility to honor the Nation’s indigenous roots, history, traditions, and cultural contributions; and Whereas the second Monday in October would be an appro- priate date to designate as ‘‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’’: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) honors and recognizes the unique contribu- 2 tions indigenous peoples have made to the United 3 States of America; 4 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:04 Oct 11, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR627.IH HR627 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •HRES 627 IH (2) encourages the people of the United States 1 to observe ‘‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’’ with appro- 2 priate ceremonies and activities that celebrate and 3 promote awareness of indigenous peoples and their 4 shared history and culture; and 5 (3) supports the official designation of ‘‘Indige- 6 nous Peoples Day’’. 7 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:04 Oct 11, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR627.IH HR627 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS