WHEREAS, Congress adopted the Indian Child Welfare act in 1978 and declared that it is the policy of this Nation to protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families (25 U.S.C. 1902) by the establishment of minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement of such children in foster or adoptive homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian culture, and by providing for assistance to Indian tribes in the operation of child and family service programs; and

WHEREAS, Congress recognized that there is no resource that is more vital to the continued existence and integrity of Indian tribes than their children and that the United States has direct interest, as trustee, in protecting Indian children who are members of or are eligible for membership in an Indian tribe; and

WHEREAS, the great State of Nevada incorporated these provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act into the Nevada Revised Statutes through passage of State Assembly Bill 361 in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Indian tribes in the State of Nevada have maintained their dynamic culture, customs and traditions in an effort to pass them on to future generations, support the Indian Child Welfare Act; and

WHEREAS, the great State of Nevada recognizes Nevada’s Indian children as Citizens of this State as well as Citizens of their respective Tribes and of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the great State of Nevada wishes to recognize the efforts of State and County child welfare agencies, tribal social services, and the Indian Child Welfare Steering Committee working together to further the interests of the Indian Child Welfare Act and commend their ongoing participation in annual symposia;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim June, 2008, as recognizing