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SJRES 14 111th Congress Senate Native Americans Congressional tributes Federal-Indian relations Human rights Indian lands and resources rights State and local government operations U.S. history

A joint resolution to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the Federal Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.

Introduced: April 30, 2009 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 6, 2009
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Apr 30, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4977)
Apr 30, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4976-4977)
Apr 30, 2009
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Recognizes the special legal and political relationship the Indian tribes have with the United States and the solemn covenant with the land we share.

Commends and honors the Native Peoples for the thousands of years that they have stewarded and protected this land.

Recognizes that there have been years of official depredations, ill-conceived policies, and the breaking of covenants by the federal government regarding Indian tribes.

Apologizes on behalf of the people of the United States to all Native Peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on them by U.S. citizens.

Expresses the regret of the United States for the ramifications of former wrongs and its commitment to build on the positive relationships of the past and present to move toward reconciliation.

Urges the President to acknowledge the wrongs of the United States against Indian tribes in U.S. history.

Commends the state governments that have begun reconciliation efforts with recognized Indian tribes located in their boundaries, and encourages all state governments to do the same.

Prohibits anything in this Joint Resolution from authorizing or supporting any claim against the United States or serving as a settlement of any claim against the United States.

What's happening now August 6, 2009

Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1