Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 6.djvu/361

 PROCLAMATION 7372—NOV. 8, 2000 114 STAT. 3417 pendence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth. WILLIAM J. CLINTON Proclamation 7372 of November 8, 2000 National American Indian Heritage Month, 2000 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are a special part of the tapestry of our Nation's history. As keepers of a rich and ancient cultiu'al heritage. Native Americans share with all of us the beauty of their art, the power of their songs, and the grace of their people. As individuals, they have distinguished themselves in virtually every field, from the arts to the sciences, from the world of sports to the world of commerce. This month, we celebrate the culture and contributions of the first Americans. We also remember with sorrow the suffering they endured because of past Federal actions and policies that had long-term and often devastating consequences for Native Americans and thefr culture. But, as the new millennium dawns, there is reason for optimism. During my 1999 New Markets tour of the Pine Ridge reservation in South Ddcota and my visit to the Navajo Nation in New Mexico in April of this year, I saw firsthand a strength of spirit and hope sweeping through Indian Coimtry. The Vice President and I have worked with tribes to foster this hope—through economic development initiatives and improved education and health care. We still have much to accomplish, however. While my Administration has worked hard to bridge the digital divide and bring the Information Superhighway to Indian Coimtry, some areas still do not have telephone and power lines. We continue striving to provide American Indians with the tools they need to strengthen family and community life by fighting poverty, crime, alcohol and drug abuse, and domestic violence, and we are working with tribes to improve academic achievement and strengthen tribal colleges. We are also seeking to ensure that tribal leaders have a voice equal to that of Federal and State officials in addressing issues of concern to all om" citizens. I reaffirmed that commitment to tribal sovereignty and self-determination by issiiing this month a revised Executive Order on Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments. This order builds on prior actions and strengthens our government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes by ensuring that all Executive departments and agencies consult with Indian tribes and respect tribal sovereignty as the agencies consider policy initiatives that affect Indian communities. This year, my Administration proposed the largest budget increase ever for a comprehensive Native American initiative for health care, education, infrastructiire, and economic development. Just last month, as part of the Department of the Interior appropriations legislation, I signed into law one segment of this budget initiative that includes sig-

�