119-sres92

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 92 Agreed to Senate

    (ATS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. RES. 92

 Designating February 16, 2025, as ``National Elizabeth Peratrovich 
 Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 February 24, 2025

 Mr. Sullivan (for himself and Ms. Murkowski) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Designating February 16, 2025, as ``National Elizabeth Peratrovich 
 Day''.

Whereas Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich, Tlingit, was a member of the Lukaax.adi 
 clan in the Raven moiety with the Tlingit name of Kaaxgal.aat (referred 
 to in this preamble as ``Elizabeth'') who fought for social equality, 
 civil liberties, and respect for Alaska Native and Native American 
 communities;
Whereas Elizabeth, who was born in 1911 in Petersburg, Alaska, experienced 
 discrimination as a Tlingit woman, and dedicated her life to creating a 
 better future for Alaska Natives;
Whereas more than 6,000 patriotic Alaska Natives protected the United States 
 alongside non-Native Servicemen and women during World War II, despite 
 suffering from unjust discrimination;
Whereas, in 1941, Elizabeth and her husband, Roy Peratrovich, moved to Juneau, 
 the capital city of Alaska, to campaign tirelessly for the passage of 
 the anti-discrimination legislation of Ernest Gruening, the Governor of 
 Alaska, which would later result in the passage of the Anti-
 Discrimination Act of 1945;
Whereas, in campaigning for the passage of anti-discrimination legislation, 
 Elizabeth persevered for several years traveling across the Alaska 
 Territory enabling, rallying, and uniting Alaska Natives to fight for 
 recognition that they are created equal to others and equally endowed 
 with ``unalienable Rights'';
Whereas Elizabeth was a powerful orator who envisioned unity and then spoke it 
 into existence through community advocacy and the support of the Alaska 
 Native Brotherhood and the Alaska Native Sisterhood;
Whereas Elizabeth testified strongly before the Alaska Territorial legislature 
 vote on the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, passionately asking the 
 legislature, ``Have you eliminated larceny or murder by passing a law 
 against it? No law will eliminate crimes but, at least you as 
 legislators, can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of the 
 present situation and speak your intent to help us overcome 
 discrimination.'';
Whereas the Alaska Territorial Legislature passed the Anti-Discrimination Act of 
 1945 on February 16, 1945, which was the first anti-discrimination law 
 enacted in the history of the United States;
Whereas Elizabeth dedicated the rest of her life to creating a better Alaska for 
 future generations;
Whereas Elizabeth tragically died of cancer in 1958, but her legacy has not been 
 forgotten;
Whereas, beginning in 1988, the State of Alaska has recognized February 16 as 
 Elizabeth Peratrovich Day; and
Whereas, in 2020, the United States Mint released the Elizabeth Peratrovich $1 
 coin to commemorate the significant impact that Elizabeth had on 
 advancing equality under the law in the United States: Now, therefore, 
 be it
 Resolved, That the Senate--

    (1) designates February 16, 2025, as ``National Elizabeth 
 Peratrovich Day'';

    (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
 National Elizabeth Peratrovich Day by remembering the work of 
 Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich and other civil rights leaders; 
 and

    (3) encourages the people of the United States and Members 
 of Congress to commemorate the life and civil rights advocacy 
 of Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich by continuing the important 
 work of ensuring equality for Alaska Natives and Native 
 Americans.
 <all>