. >> where does the navajo nation fit in all of this?y have major concerns about culturally sensitive lands, i understand. >> well, they are caught in this, too. they don't want their antiques destroyed either. they want voice, too. individuals within the navajo nation have their own views, very strong views on this standpoint on this whole issue, but they don't want to really be too closely aligned with the bundy group, either. >> it looks to me like they are on the hunt for a confrontation. they were armed, were they not? and bandishing firearms in a sense. how would you characterize their behavior there? >> oh, yeah. well, i didn't see that ryan bundy or any members of his family who i interviewed when i was down there, i didn't see them armed with firearms. i did see members of the militia. they had ak-47s slung, riding atvs in the military fatigue and they don't want to talk to the media. those people are a different breed than the people that are from san juan county, who are there to make the stand about the canyon. >> all right.

rode atvs on closed trails, the trails ran through sacred native american cultural lands of the navajo nation. >> it also attracted people unafraid of confrontation. cliven bundy and his family rode their atvs into the banned area. he says staying in the blm designated area doesn't make any accepts abo sense. >> it shows cowardess toward the federal government and the bureau of land management. if we're here to make a stand, let's make a stand. >> what kind of stand are you talking about? leave to a bundy to break the law. the blm will pursue charges against those who violated laws saturday. there is no doubt tensions are running high. last week a federal cattle wrangler was threatened by masked men, men wearing hoods pulled up to a blm employee and showed him a sign that read "you need to die." one of the men then pointed a handgun at the blm wrangler. there was no evidence linking the masked men to bundy supporter, but sgdoesn't it mak you wonder what is going on here? the fbi is currently investigating the armed standoff. they are looking into threats against law enforcement officer, illeg

rancher cliven bundy drove atvs on sunday, the home of native american artifacts connected to the navajo nationnservatives in congress are pushing for passage of the proposed keystone xl pipeline. native tribes say building the pipeline would ruin their land. so the question is, where does all this disrespect come from? i think it's deeply rooted in our society. it's almost cultural. over the weekend, a group of students at the university of north dakota wore t-shirts displaying disrespectful imagery against native americans. here's the local report from the nbc affiliate kvlv news live in fargo. >>> students are pictured wearing the shirts that read "super drunk." below the phrase, you can see a face of a native american head drinking from a beer bong. the students in the picture tell us they are getting threats over social media. other students are filing complaints with the university. >> the native american students say they just hope the university will finally take action. >> well, i would like to see the university step up and teach students as to why the name is derogatory. >> they need

prior to the ride there been a great deal of criticism and concern from the navajo nation because the ride through recapture canyon would put thousands of years of cultural resources for native americans at risk not to mention that the right also went over an ancient sacred native american burial ground but the concerns of the navajo nation and the legal requirement from the b.l.m. to protect ancient sacred sites and artifacts it were all ignored by this group and the ride went along as planned despite the. highly federal law and despite putting archaeological sites. similarly it should come as no surprise that some of the a.t.v. riding lawbreakers in utah this weekend were members of the club and bundy came in an e-mail blast to his followers bundy wrote that we need to help the people of blanding reestablish who's in control of the land this is your next stand will you be there to help them like you helped us by the way please make a donation. bunnies call to his followers to illegally ride on government land and put thousands of years worth of history and culture at risk is pretty

navajo code talkers and the japanese american regiments, all of whom have already received the congressional gold medal. i'd also like to recognize a grassroots efforts of the borinqueneer congressional gold medal alliance and their national chair, frank medina. for many of their members, this bill was the first time ever contacting a member of congress. congratulations. we would not be here today if it were not for the tireless efforts of literally hundreds of people in the borinqueneer community. d also like to thank rob medina of my florida office who first brought this to my attention, and robert carter, who advanced this legislation as a member of my staff. i rise in full support of the borinqueneers and urge all of my colleagues to join us to ensure that these american soldiers are recognized for their exceptional, their courageous and their selfless service to our nation. and i call upon the senate to take prompt action to pass this bill and allow us to declare mission, accomplished. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida yields. the gentleman from michigan reserves. the gentleman from massachusetts. -- to ld to a person the gentleman from new york, mr. serrano. th