A resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 142
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-26: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1864; text: CR S1876-1877)
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-23T21:36:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 142) aims to recognize and honor the heritage, culture, and ongoing contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women to the United States. It celebrates their achievements during National Women's History Month and emphasizes their role as cultural preservers, community leaders, and innovators.
Key Provisions
- Historical and Cultural Recognition: Acknowledges the resilience of these women in facing challenges like forced relocations and threats to their existence, while highlighting their role in shaping Native communities and defending tribal sovereignty.
- Contributions in Various Fields:
- Military Service: Notes over 4,400 active-duty members and 43,000 veterans as of 2025, including pioneers like Minnie Spotted Wolf (first Native woman in the U.S. Marine Corps) and Lori Ann Piestewa (first woman killed in the Iraq War).
- Economic Impact: Highlights business ownership, with over 11,600 women-owned employing businesses generating $11.2 billion in revenue and employing 72,000 workers as of 2024; examples include Elouise Cobell, who founded a tribal bank and fought federal mismanagement of Native funds.
- Science, Medicine, and Education: Recognizes figures like Susan La Flesche Picotte (first Native American medical degree holder), Mary Golda Ross (NASA engineer for Apollo program), and Annie Dodge Wauneka (Navajo health advocate and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient).
- Arts, Literature, and Culture: Honors artists like Pablita Velarde, dancers like Maria Tallchief (prima ballerina), writers like Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins, and cultural preservers like Esther Martinez (Tewa language revitalizer) and Mary Kawena Pukui (Hawaiian scholar).
- Civil Rights and Advocacy: Spotlights leaders like Elizabeth Peratrovich (key in passing the first U.S. anti-discrimination law in 1945), Zitkala-Sa (advocate for Native voting rights), and Wilma Mankiller (first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation).
- Athletics and Public Service: Includes Rell Sunn (co-founder of women's professional surfing) and historical figures like Kaahumanu (Hawaiian regent) and Polly Cooper (Revolutionary War aid provider).
- Future Commitments: Calls for continued investment in addressing barriers such as access to justice, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
- Resolution Clause: The Senate celebrates their successes, honors their contributions, and recognizes the need to ensure their safety and uphold their interests.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a symbolic statement of recognition rather than enacting new policies or amendments.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Raises public awareness of Native women's contributions, potentially fostering greater cultural appreciation and support for equity initiatives. It may indirectly encourage educational programs or community efforts to address disparities in justice, health, and economic access for these groups.
- On Government Agencies: Could influence federal agencies (e.g., Department of Defense, NASA, or Bureau of Indian Affairs) to highlight Native women's roles in official narratives or commemorations, such as through coins or monuments already referenced. No direct funding or operational changes.
- On International Relations: Minimal impact, though it underscores U.S. commitment to indigenous rights, which may align with global discussions on native peoples' issues.
- Overall, the effects are primarily cultural and inspirational, promoting inclusion without enforceable mandates.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Women: Primary beneficiaries, as the resolution validates their historical and contemporary roles, potentially boosting visibility and advocacy for their needs.
- Native Communities and Tribes: Strengthens cultural preservation efforts and tribal sovereignty narratives.
- U.S. Government and Senate: Bipartisan cosponsorship (from 29 senators) reflects broad political support, involving federal entities in recognition efforts.
- Broader Public: Encourages all U.S. citizens to appreciate diverse contributions to national history.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: No direct legal implications, as resolutions like this are declarative and do not create enforceable rights or obligations. It references existing recognitions (e.g., U.S. coins honoring figures) but does not alter them.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the U.S. Constitution's implicit support for tribal sovereignty (via treaties and federal-Indian relations) and free expression in honoring cultural heritage, without raising separation-of-powers issues.
- Political: Demonstrates rare bipartisan unity in the 119th Congress (introduced March 26, 2025, and agreed to by the Senate), signaling growing emphasis on indigenous inclusion in national discourse. It may politically amplify calls for addressing systemic barriers faced by Native women, influencing future legislation on health, justice, or economic equity without binding commitments.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (33)
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-26: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1864; text: CR S1876-1877)
- 2025-03-26: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (10 pages)