BILL NUMBER: SR 58ENROLLED BILL TEXT ADOPTED IN SENATE AUGUST 27, 2014 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 19, 1950 INTRODUCED BY Senator Walters AUGUST 14, 2014 Relative to Native American Heritage Month LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, Throughout our country's history, Native Americans have played an important role in our culture and success; and WHEREAS, The Native American community has helped dramatically in the preservation of tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as a people; and WHEREAS, In the State of California, a state rich with Native American culture and history, we are fortunate to have students of the Four Directions Education Organization involved in preserving their Native American culture; and WHEREAS, Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the land that now constitutes the United States; and WHEREAS, Native Americans traditionally have exhibited a respect for the finiteness of natural resources through a reverence for the earth; and 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 WHEREAS, Native Americans deserve to be recognized for their individual contributions to the United States as local and national leaders, artists, athletes, and scholars; and WHEREAS, This recognition will encourage self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all ages; and WHEREAS, The Senate finds that it is important to celebrate the role of Native American history in our community and the contributions that have been made by dedicated members of this culture; and WHEREAS, The Senate is honored to join all California residents in celebrating Native American heritage during this month and encourages the preservation of this extraordinary culture; and WHEREAS, November is a time when many Americans commemorate a special time in the history of the United States when American Indians and English settlers celebrated the bounty of their harvest and the promise of new kinships; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes November 2014 as Native American Heritage Month; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.