Rural Coalition

The National Congress of American Indians

Resolution #ANC-07-009

TITLE: Diversity Initiative Farm Bill

WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and

WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) was established in 1944 and is the oldest and largest national organization of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, every 5 to 7 years Congress authorizes the programs and services of the Department of Agriculture through the "Farm Bill." Congress is in the process of drafting the 2007 Farm Bill and projects the passage of this important legislation prior to September 1, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the staff of NCAI, other Indian organizations, as well as other minority based organizations have collaborated in the preparation of specific language for each chapter of the 2007 Farm Bill as represented in the attached "Diversity Initiative Farm Bill; and

WHEREAS, the Congressional passage of the 2007 Farm Bill will occur prior to the annual meeting of NCAI when resolutions are normally addressed thus the need to address the Farm Bill in the 07 Summer Session of NCAI.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NCAI does hereby petition the Congress of the United States in support of the "Diversity Initiative Farm Bill; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NCAI until passage of the 2007 Farm Bill.

CERTIFICATION

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the General Assembly at the 2007 64th Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Egan Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska on June 10-13, 2007, with a quorum present.

Joe A. Garcia
President

ATTEST:

Juana Majel
Recording Secretary