Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize May 5th as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls."

The resolution was introduced with the support of Western Caucus Members Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Matt Rosendale (MT-AL), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), and Ken Calvert (CA-42), as well as Representatives Tom Cole (OK-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Ashley Hinson (IA-01).

“There is a crisis in this country, that of missing and murdered indigenous women,” said Chairman Newhouse. “This resolution calls on the people of the United States to commemorate the lives of these women and demonstrate solidarity with the families of victims in light of these tragedies. We must continue to take up the banner for those who are no longer able to. They deserve answers, and I will continue working to deliver them.”

Click here to watch a video from Chairman Newhouse.

By introducing the resolution, the lawmakers are not only expressing their support for the National Day of Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, but they are also recognizing the progress made in recent years with the passage of Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act and pledging to continue working to address the nationwide missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) crisis. 

American Indian and Alaska Native women face a murder rate of up to ten times the national average, and over 84% of Native women having experienced violence in their lifetime. In recent years, Chairman Newhouse and several Members of the Congressional Western Caucus have worked in to address these staggering statistics and deliver justice to the families and loved ones of MMIW.

May 5th is designated in honor of the birth date of Hanna Harris, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, who was found dead after being reported missing by her family in Lame Deer, Montana. Senate Western Caucus Chairman Senator Steve Daines (MT) introduced a similar resolution in the U.S. Senate.

Click here to read the full text of the resolution.