Senate OKs American Indian apology measure

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate approved a resolution officially apologizing to Native Americans for past actions of the federal government.

Passed as part of a defense spending bill Tuesday, the provision must undergo several more legislative steps before becoming law, the Tulsa World reported.

"I am pleased that the Senate approved this important language," bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., said, adding he would work to ensure the language stays in the bill when it goes to conference committee. "Our nation has waited far too long to make this official apology to the native peoples in Oklahoma and the U.S."

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., the resolution's Senate sponsor, said the measure would seek reconciliation and would offer an official apology to Native Americans across the country "for the hurtful choices the federal government made in the past."

Brownback and Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said the resolution would not authorize or act as a settlement of claims against the United States.