{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-torres-bonamici-davids-delbene-and-sens-heinrich-lujan-lead-bicameral", "Reps. Torres, Bonamici, Davids, & DelBene and Sens. Heinrich & Luj\u00e1n Lead Bicameral Bill to Commemorate Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day", "2023-10-02", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Suzanne Bonamici", "B001278", "bonamici.house.gov", "bonamici", "https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Sharice Davids (KS-03), and Suzan DelBene (WA-01), along with Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), announced the reintroduction of the bicameral Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day Act to replace Columbus Day as a federal holiday and designate the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day.\n\n\u201cOur country has long failed to recognize and acknowledge its dark history of erasure and harm brought upon the first inhabitants of the Americas,\u201d said Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35). \u201cThe Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day Act celebrates the 600+ tribes that inhabited the Americas for hundreds of years before the arrival of Western explorers. By designating Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day a federal holiday, we take a small but important step toward recognizing the injustices in our nation\u2019s history and uplifting the vibrant traditions, history, and culture of all Indigenous communities \u2013 an integral part of the cultural fabric of the United States.\u201d\n\nThe Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day Act has garnered 56 House cosponsors. In the U.S. Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).\n\n\u201cEstablishing Indigenous Peoples Day as a federal holiday is an opportunity to acknowledge the painful legacy of colonization that continues to be felt to this day and celebrate the countless contributions of Indigenous communities to our country,\u201d said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). \u201cI\u2019m grateful to join my colleagues in this effort to honor Indigenous people, history, and culture.\u201d\n\n\"Indigenous Peoples' Day is an opportunity to commemorate Indigenous peoples' vibrant cultures and significant contributions to our nation \u2014 from before we became a union to today \u2014 and a day to acknowledge the persecution and discrimination that Native peoples have faced for centuries. As one of the first Native American women ever elected to Congress and a proud member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, I am honored to join my colleagues in calling for the national celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day,\u201d said Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03).\n\n\"Indigenous Peoples' Day is an opportunity for us to unite in celebration of the rich tapestry of tribal nations, their diverse cultures, and the important contributions they have made to our communities,\u201d said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01). \u201cCementing this observance also acknowledges the current and historical injustices Indigenous communities face and renews our commitment to preserving their rights as we work toward a more inclusive and equitable society.\"\n\n\u201cFederally designating Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the strength and resilience of Tribal Nations while we continue our efforts to uplift Tribal communities and support Tribal sovereignty,\u201d said Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM). \u201cI'm proud to stand with Tribes and Pueblos who have led the way to re-frame this national holiday to honor all of the significant contributions and diverse cultures of Tribal communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to help lead the effort to officially designate the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day,\u201d said Senator Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM). \u201cJust as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day in New Mexico, I hope to see Congress pass this legislation to do the same across the country. Native people play a vital role in society and in our nation\u2019s history, especially in New Mexico \u2013 from serving in the military, teaching in the classroom, to running small businesses. Let Indigenous Peoples' Day serve as a celebration of Tribal Nations and serve as a reminder of the work ahead to fulfill the federal government\u2019s trust responsibility to Tribes and Pueblos.\u201d\n\nThe Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day Act is endorsed by the Cherokee Nation, Navajo Nation, Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, Barona Band of Mission Indians, National Congress of American Indians, All Pueblo Council of Governors, Indigenous Peoples' Initiative, National Council of Urban Indian Health, Association on American Indian Affairs, and the Pocahontas Project.\n\n\u201cCherokee Nation supports legislation replacing \u2018Columbus Day\u2019 with \u2018Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day\u2019 and applauds Congresswoman Torres and Senators Heinrich and Lujan for their continued leadership on this issue. It is past time for the United States to recognize the integral role Native people play in the history, economy, and future of our country. The second Monday of October will be a day for people across the United States to celebrate and honor the significant contributions of Native tribes as well as the beautiful culture of our Native people,\u201d said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.\n\n\"Recognizing and celebrating the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of indigenous peoples is an essential step towards promoting understanding, equality, and respect. By replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, we acknowledge the resilience, wisdom, and enduring presence of indigenous communities, fostering unity and honoring the diverse tapestry of our nation's heritage. My thanks go out to Senator Heinrich and Congresswoman Torres for the introduction of the Indigenous Peoples Day Act in their respective houses,\u201d said Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren.\n\n\u201cLong before Christopher Columbus stumbled upon this continent, many nations of Native people sustained thriving societies across this country,\u201d said NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. \u201cNCAI applauds Senator Heinrich, Senator Luj\u00e1n, and Representative Torres for re-introducing legislation designed to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day and create space dedicated to acknowledging the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and resilience of contemporary tribal nations and their citizenry, and NCAI urges Congress to pass this bill and sign it into law as expeditiously as possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cIndigenous Peoples' Day celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous People and recognizes our inherent sovereignty. While the story of America is one of slow and uneasy steps forward, the celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day validates the ideas of this nation's founding. As a nation, I hope we can right wrongs and take another step toward a more perfect union,\u201dsaid Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Initiative Chairman Dylan O. Baca.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bonamici.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-torres-bonamici-davids-delbene-and-sens-heinrich-lujan-lead-bicameral"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.732822809368372, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}