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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 28, 1996

           PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROTECT 
                      AMERICAN INDIAN SACRED SITES

President Clinton today signed an Executive Order to promote accommodation of access to American Indian sacred sites by Indian religious practitioners and to provide additional protection for the physical integrity of such sacred sites. The Executive Order applies to federally owned lands.

"All Americans have a stake in seeing that the religious freedom of their fellow citizens is preserved and protected," the President said.

This Executive Order reflects the Administration's continuing commitment to the religious freedom of all Americans. The Order supplements the protections afforded by the American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments, which the President signed into law in 1994, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which the President signed in 1993. The Order is also an important companion to the President's directive, dated April 29, 1994, requiring Executive Branch departments and agencies to accommodate the need for eagle feathers in the practice of American Indian religions.

For further information on this Executive Order, please contact John Leshy, the Department of the Interior, at 202-208-4423.

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