¿June 1994
amended next year's budget to restore more than $120 million in
funding fo r the Indian Health Service. (Applause.)
Finally, as we heard so eloquently today, there is in
America^ across the lines o f race and class and region, a profound
concern fo r our children.
Too many are poor, or sick or
unsupervised. Too many are likely to use violence or be the victims
o f violence. Too many are unprepared intellectually fo r life or
work. Yet nothing is so striking in tribal communities as your love
o f family and extended family and your devotion to your children.
Every segment o f our society could well take a lesson from you.
But in spite o f your best efforts, too many o f your children
also suffer from p oor health and inadequate education. And we are
trying hard to address these problems. You mentioned Head Start --
our budget calls fo r continued, substantial increases and expansions
o f the Head Start program, as well as the Women and Infants and
Children program.
Our education plan, called Goals 2000, fo r the first time
sets world-class education standards fo r every school and all our
children, and gives local communities the grass roots support they
need to achieve those goals. Goals 2000 contains millions more
next year fo r BIA-funded schools and schools serving Native
Alaskans. And these funds cannot be spent until the education goals
o f your community are considered.
In the 1980's, our nation fe ll behind many third world
countries in the rate at which we immunized children against
communicable diseases. I know the Indian Health Service does a
good jo b o f immunizing children. Beginning this year, under the
Vaccine fo r Children program, every Indian child - no matter
where he or she lives, and regardless o f whether they are fortunate
enough to live near an IHS facility - will be eligible fo r free
vaccine. (Applause.)
The Great Law o f the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy
contained this advice: "In our every deliberation, we must consider
the impact o f our decision on the next seven generations." We are
stewards. We are caretakers. That standard will keep us great i f we
have the vision o f your forefathers.
As we look back on the American journey, the test ahead is
always whether we are moving in the right direction o f more
tolerance, wider justice and greater opportunity fo r all. It is the
direction that counts, always the direction, and our choices will set
that direction.
O f course, as you well know, our history has not always
been a proud one. But our future can be, and that is up to us.
Together we can open the greatest era o f cooperation,
understanding and respect among our people ever. I know that we
will. And when we do, the judgment o f history will be that the
President o f the United States and the leaders o f the sovereign
Indian nations met and kept faith with each other and our common
heritage, and together lifted our great nations to a new and better
place.
Thank you all. (Applause).
(The President signs Presidential Directive.)
(Applause.)
(The President, The Vice President, Mrs. Clinton, and Mrs.
Gore are presented with gifts.)
*********
THE PRESIDENT: Before we go, I wanted to make a brief
announcement to thank you, on behalf o f the First Lady, the Vice
President, Mrs. Gore and Cabinet fo r being here and fo r giving us
a chance to be with you, and fo r the wonderful gifts we have
received.
In keeping with a tradition that goes back to the early days
o f our republic, I want each ofy o, in leaving to receive a miniature
replica o f the Jefferson Indian Peace Medal.
On the front i s a picture o f our third President, Thomas
Jefferson, author o f the Declaration o f Independence, and one o f the
chief architects o f our democracy.
When you receive your medal, you will see on the back two
hands clasped — one with a cuff showing three stripes and three
buttons, the other wearing a bracelet engraved with an eagle. The
hands join with the inscription, "Peace and Friendship. ”
As we pray and as we leave, let us hope that this is the
beginning o f true peace, true friendship and true progress.
Thank you (Applause)
END
Billings, MT...According to syndicated columnist, Paul
Harvey, concern about imitation "Indian” products is on the rise.
"Our federal government has laws to protect them (the products)
w most isn't. Customs officials complain that they can't be
expected to open every box," states Harvey. Some, states,
Arizona for example, "have laws prohibiting mislabeling, but
those laws are largely ignored, Harvey added. A "Made by
American Indians" trademark was developed and is currently
being registered by the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) to
address this growing problem.
The trademark was developed to improve product
recognition, which will clearly identify Native American products
as bona fide American Indian produced and not an imitation.
Two distinctive points to the trademark authorization are:
M ade by American Indians. "Made by American
Indians" is die labeling statement certifying that the product sold
or advertised is at least 80% made by American Indians.
Produced by Indian C ountry. "Produced in Indian
Country" means dairy animals, poultry, or other livestock that
were fed in Indian Country for at least 60 days prior to milking,
processing, or slaughtering or fruits, vegetable, grains, or floral
and nursery crops that have been grown in Indian Country.
Products identified as Indian made or produced and are
clearly identified with the trademark, will stand out from those
which only benefit from the name "Indian" or "Native", but in
fact have no relationship to Indian Country other than for the
increased revenues and reputation.
The trademark will serve as a promotional and legal tool.
It will assist Tribes, tribal members, organizations, firms,
partnerships or associations, with proper trademark authority, in
marketing their goods on a global basis by improving product
recognition. In addition, it will enable the authorized user legal
recourses, if necessary, to protect the authenticity of Indian-made
goods and products.
An application for authorization of use does have to be
completed and approved in order to comply with the trademark
rules and regulations and serves as a means of protecting it from
misuse or copy infringement. At the time of this release an
application fee does not exist; however, licensees will have to
apply on a yearly basis so at some point a minimal fee may be
assessed.
For more information on the specific rules and regulations
governing the use of the "Made by American Indians" trademark
as well as an application, please contact: Kristie Madden, IAC,
100 North 27th Street, Suite 500, Billings, MT 59101, (406)
259-3525.
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