12 2 STA T .5380PROCL A M AT I O N 8313 — OCT. 30 , 2008 INW I T N ES SW H E R E OF, I have he r e untos et my han d th i st w enty - ninth day o f O c to b er, in the year of our L ord two thousand ei g ht, and of the Inde p endence of the U nited States of A merica the two hundred and thirty-third .G EORGE W. B USH Proclam a ti o n831 3o fO cto be r3 0,2 008 Nation a lAmer i c an I n d ian H erita g e M ont h,20 0 8BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation D uring Nationa l American Indian Heritage M onth, we celebrate the rich ancestry of American Indians and Alas k a Natives and recogni z e their many contributions to our national story. Native Americans have enriched our heritage and added to all aspects of our society. Our country is blessed to have their character and strength, and we are especially grateful for the generations of Native Americans who have answered the call to defend our country. During World War II, these brave patriots used their native languages to create an unbreakable oral code. Today, that legacy continues as Native Americans work to advance freedom ’ s cause. My Administration remains committed to protecting tribal sovereignty and the right to self-determination and to working with tribes on a gov- ernment-to-government basis. To help more Native Americans realize the dream of home ownership, I signed the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 20 0 8 . For nearly eight years, we have also worked to strengthen educational op- portunities for all Americans. In 200 4 , Iissuedane x ecutive order to help Native American students fulfill the challenging standards of the No C hild Left Behind Act. This order established the Interagency Working Group on American Indian and Alaska Native Education to improve educational programs consistent with tribal traditions, lan- guages, and cultures. By setting high standards for academic achieve- ment, we are enabling more Americans throughout our country to pur- sue their dreams. During this month, we honor our native peoples and recognize them for strengthening the diversity of our society. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, P resident of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National American Indian Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. GEORGE W. BUSH
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