Source: The Boston Globe
On May 31, 2005 The Boston Globe reported, "legislation that would offer a formal apology to American Indians for centuries of government mistreatment and neglect received a warm reception at a Senate committee hearing yesterday. Introduced last month by Senator Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican, the resolution would apologize for the 'many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native Peoples by citizens of the United States.' 'While we cannot erase the record of our past, I am confident that we can acknowledge our past failures, express sincere regrets, and work toward establishing a brighter future for all Americans,' Brownback told the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The resolution recounts the long history of government mistreatment of American Indians, including forced relocation, the outlawing of their traditional religions, and the destruction of sacred sites. Congress rarely apologizes for official government conduct. Exceptions include a 1993 apology to native Hawaiians for the unlawful overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and a 1988 apology to Japanese-Americans placed in detention camps during World War II. Efforts to win an apology for slavery have failed to gain momentum in Congress."