NM Authored Native American Language Bill Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bill to strengthen Tribally-developed Native American language revitalization programs, authored and shepherded through Congress by the state’s entire Congressional delegation, has now become law.

The legislation, Senate Bill number S.256, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act, was authored by New Mexico’s Senior Senator Tom Udall.

“I am proud to have championed this legislation that recognizes Esther Martinez’s legacy of Native languages advocacy in New Mexico and across the country,” said Udall. “When we invest in revitalizing Native languages, so are we also investing in rebuilding connections between generations of Native Americans and promoting higher academic achievement outcomes among Native youth. This bill becoming law is an important step forward in the Federal government living up to its promise of working with Tribes to protect and renew Native languages.”

The bill is named after Esther Martinez, an Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo traditional storyteller and Tewa language advocate who passed away in 2006. It amends existing law to reauthorize two federal Native American language programs at the Administration for Native Americans until 2024. The bill also expands eligibility for those programs to smaller-sized Tribal language programs, and allows for both programs to offer longer grant periods.

S.256 completed its passage through the Senate in June by a process known as voice voting, an affirmative measure allowed when a bill enjoys such broad and bipartisan support that recorded votes are deemed unnecessary. The bill passed the House on December 9, also by voice vote, and was signed into law by the President on December 20.

An early House version of the bill, H.R.912, was authored by Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM3), and the entire state Congressional delegation was involved in both co-sponsoring and working the bill into law.

“Preserving Native languages is central to maintaining cultural identity,” said Senate co-sponsor Martin Heinrich. "I’m proud to continue honoring Esther Martinez’s legacy by ensuring that Native students are connected to their language and that their rich culture and traditions can be handed down to future generations.”

“Esther Martinez was a champion for Native languages who spent her life teaching others and promoting the growth of indigenous languages and culture,” added Rep. Luján. “With this bipartisan legislation, Congress has delivered results on this top priority for Native communities who are working to preserve their languages. I was proud to help spearhead the passage of this legislation to ensure language justice for future generations.”

“Our indigenous languages and traditions help keep our rich culture alive, but the programs that support language preservation are underfunded and often times lack funding altogether,” said Rep. Debra Haaland (D-NM1), Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. “Now that our bill honoring the legacy of Pueblo storyteller and self-taught linguist, Esther Martinez, is signed into law, we will move forward on important work to revitalize our languages and traditions.”

“I’m proud to join the delegation in honoring Esther Martinez’s legacy by removing the barriers schools and organizations often face when accessing resources for Native language programs,” commented Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM2). “The preservation of Native and tribal languages is essential to protecting our state’s unique cultural identity for generations to come. This is especially critical to our rural communities, and will ensure Native students in all corners of our state have the opportunity to thrive.”

The full text of the bill can be viewed at: https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2019-01-29%20Bill%20Esther%20Martinez%20Native%20American%20Languages%20Programs%20Reauthorization%20Act%20(AEG19090).pdf