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ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY ROBERT S. KERR TO THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS AT THE THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
NOVEMBER 6-9, 1946

President Johnson, Delegates to the Third Annual Convention of the National Congress of American Indians, and Visitors:

It is an honor and a pleasure to have the unusual privilege of welcoming you here to Oklahoma. It is indeed gratifying to witness this cheerful and inspiring response to the call for the Indians of the Nation to meet in council in order that they may deliberate upon matters of the highest importance to them.

I want to congratulate the Indians upon meeting this call to service so unselfishly - and, I am sure, at no little personal sacrifice. I want to commend the representatives of the Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal Government for their willingness and readiness to cooperate with you, and it is encouraging to know that you have with you visitors who are deeply interested in your welfare.

It is indeed fitting that representatives of the Indian tribes from all sections of the United States come to Oklahoma for this Annual Council. We are proud of the fact that Oklahoma is steeped in the lore and tradition of Indianhood. We are proud of our State. It is one of the youngest in the sisterhood of States, but it is older in song and story and richer in lore and tradition than many of the colonial States. Much of this lore and tradition is of you and from you. Your proud history is cherished by all of our citizens alike. Your great strength of heart and mind has been a bulwark of sustaining power throughout our long State's history, and serves a similar purpose most nobly today.

Here 400 years ago, came Coronado and his adventurous band. Here, came the Five Civilized Tribes, across the broad expanse of intervening territory between their old and their new homes. Here, the Plains Indians found their homes centuries ago. Their signal fires flashed their messages and stories from point to point on the rolling plains. Here, came the French traders and trappers. Here, came the brave and adventurous spirits from all over this earth, in the vanguard of which were many gallant figures.