03/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/23/2026 12:08
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statements after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan resolution recognizing the leadership, resilience, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women. Passed during Women's History Month, their resolution honors Native women who have shaped communities across the nation through their contributions in public service, education, culture, business, science, and the arts.
"Right now, the White House is trying to erase history and decide whose stories get told. We will not let them," said Heinrich. "I'm proud the Senate passed our resolution honoring the legacy of Native women. From Ohkay Owingeh's Esther Martinez to Santa Clara's Floy Agnes Lee, we will continue to tell the stories of all Native women who have left an enduring mark on this nation's history through their leadership, resilience, and courage."
"In New Mexico and across the country, Native women have long been leaders in and helped strengthen our communities," said Luján. "This resolution celebrates and honors the incredible contributions of all Native women and their vital role in shaping our country. Today and every day, we must recognize the critical role Native women have in strengthening our communities and their continued impact in shaping our nation."
The resolution is led by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai?i), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In addition to Heinrich and Luján, Murkowski, and Schatz, the resolution is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Full text of the resolution can be found here.
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