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Washington, D.C. - On October 24, 2003, the U.S. Senate passed two resolutions introduced by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO) honoring the contributions of Native Americans to the United States. Senate Resolution 239 designates November 7, 2003 as "National Native American Veterans Day", and Senate Resolution 240 designates November, 2003, as "National American Indian Heritage Month". No further action is needed and the resolutions now have the force of law.

Native Americans have served alongside or in the United States military in every major action from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and have a higher rate of service than any other demographic group. "American Indians have always had a long tradition of bravery in war, and that legacy was carried forward in service to our nation," said Campbell, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Probably the most celebrated of the many Indian soldiers were the "Navajo Code Talkers"; men recruited by the U.S. military to relay coded messages based on their native tongue in the Pacific theater in World War II. The language was too obscure and complex for the enemy to decipher intercepted radio transmissions, but because the soldiers were bilingual, messages could be communicated quickly and accurately.

With regard to American Indian Heritage Month, Campbell said that "November is the time when all Americans traditionally give thanks for their many blessings, but were it not for the eastern Indian tribes like the Wampanoag, there never would have been a first Thanksgiving ? and maybe not a United States." The Wampanoag are credited with supporting the Pilgrims during their first harsh winter of 1620. Without the Indians' help, the fledgling community might have perished.

"I believe it is important for Americans to recognize that there were extensive civilizations in America long before the Europeans landed on these shores," said Campbell. Senate Resolution 240 cites the achievements of America's Native people as artists, athletes, scholars, and demonstrated experts in the fields of agriculture, medicine, music, language and the arts.

"American Indians were dispossessed of their land and assets, but never of their spirit or dignity. They are the heirs of an ancient tradition that the rest of the nation would do well to observe and learn from."

Campbell is the only American Indian serving in the United States Senate.