PRINTER'S NO. 3800
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
985
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY FARINA, TOOHIL, DONATUCCI, ROZZI, QUIGLEY,
HENNESSEY, COOK-ARTIS, VEREB, BIZZARRO, O'BRIEN, WATSON,
MILLARD, COHEN, SCHLOSSBERG, DiGIROLAMO, KIRKLAND, KINSEY,
CALTAGIRONE, CORBIN, VITALI, EVERETT, PASHINSKI, DRISCOLL,
READSHAW, BAKER, McNEILL, SAYLOR, ROSS, WARD, BURNS, PAYNE,
MAJOR, SCHWEYER, DEASY, GOODMAN, SCHLEGEL CULVER, MURT,
O'NEILL, MAHONEY AND YOUNGBLOOD, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
SEPTEMBER 2, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of October 2016 as "Native American Month"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "Native American Month" celebrates and recognizes
the accomplishments of the people who were the original
inhabitants, explorers and settlers of this Commonwealth and the
United States; and
WHEREAS, Native Americans have inhabited the land that is now
known as Pennsylvania for more than 5,000 years; and
WHEREAS, Many of the foods we eat and the medicines and
remedies we use were introduced by Native Americans and more
than one highway follows an original Native American trail; and
WHEREAS, The original inhabitants of Pennsylvania include the
Erie, Iroquois, Lenape, Munsee, Shawnee and Susquehannock
tribes; and
WHEREAS, Native American governments developed the
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of
powers in government and these principles form the foundation of
the United States government today; 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 American culture and society have contributed
to agricultural development, medicinal discoveries,
environmental preservation, commerce, governmental institutions
and structure and many other facets of our country, State and
cities; and
WHEREAS, Most Native American tribes were forced to leave
Pennsylvania during the 1700s when eastern tribes were being
displaced by colonial expansion; and
WHEREAS, While we work together to forge a brighter future,
we cannot shy away from the difficult aspects of Native American
history; and
WHEREAS, By celebrating and honoring Native Americans, we
reaffirm our commitment to respecting each tribe's identity
while ensuring equal opportunity to pursue the American dream;
and
WHEREAS, We should move forward in a spirit of mutual
understanding and trust, confident that future challenges will
be met and our shared future remains bright; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of October 2016 as "Native American Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call on all
Pennsylvanians to commemorate this month with appropriate civic
20160HR0985PN3800 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
programs and activities to celebrate "Native American Month."
20160HR0985PN3800 - 3 -
1