Congressional Record: June 18, 2002 (House)
Page H3613-H3617
CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION ACT
Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
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pass the bill (H.R. 3250) to authorize the President to present a gold
medal on behalf of Congress to the Sioux Indians who served as Sioux
Code Talkers during World War II in recognition of their service to the
Nation, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3250
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Code Talkers Recognition
Act".
SEC. 2. EXPRESSION OF RECOGNITION.
The purpose of the medals authorized by this Act are to
express recognition by the United States and its citizens and
to honor the Native American Code Talkers who distinguished
themselves in performing highly successful communications
operations of a unique type that greatly assisted in saving
countless lives and in hastening the end of World War I and
World War II.
TITLE I--SIOUX CODE TALKERS
SEC. 101. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Sioux Indians used their native languages, Dakota,
Lakota, and Nakota Sioux, as code during World War II.
(2) These people, who manned radio communications networks
to advise of enemy actions, became known as the Sioux Code
Talkers.
(3) Under some of the heaviest combat action, the Code
Talkers worked around the clock to provide information which
saved the lives of many Americans in the Pacific and Europe,
such as the location of enemy troops and the number of enemy
guns.
(4) The Sioux Code Talkers were so successful that military
commanders credit the code with saving the lives of countless
American soldiers and being instrumental to the success of
the United States in many battles during World War II.
SEC. 102. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate
arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress,
of a gold medal of appropriate design, to each Sioux Code
Talker, including the following:
(1) Eddie Eagle Boy.
(2) Simon Brokenleg.
(3) Iver Crow Eagle, Sr.
(4) Edmund St. John.
(5) Walter C. John.
(6) John Bear King.
(7) Phillip "Stoney" LaBlanc.
(8) Baptiste Pumpkinseed.
(9) Guy Rondell.
(10) Charles Whitepipe.
(11) Clarence Wolfguts.
TITLE II--COMANCHE CODE TALKERS
SEC. 201. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Empire attacked Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, and the Congress declared war the following
day.
(2) The military code, developed by the United States for
transmitting messages, had been deciphered by the Axis
powers, and United States military intelligence sought to
develop a new means to counter the enemy.
(3) The United States Government called upon the Comanche
Nation to support the military effort by recruiting and
enlisting Comanche men to serve in the United States Army to
develop a secret code based on the Comanche language.
(4) At the time, the Comanches were second-class citizens,
and they were a people who were discouraged from using their
own language.
(5) The Comanches of the 4th Signal Division became known
as the "Comanche Code Talkers" and helped to develop a code
using their language to communicate military messages during
the D-Day invasion and in the European theater during World
War II.
(6) To the enemy's frustration, the code developed by these
Native American Indians proved to be unbreakable and was used
extensively throughout the European theater.
(7) The Comanche language, discouraged in the past, was
instrumental in developing one of the most significant and
successful military codes of World War II.
(8) The Comanche Code Talkers contributed greatly to the
Allied war effort in Europe and were instrumental in winning
the war in Europe. Their efforts saved countless lives.
(9) Only 1 of the Comanche Code Talkers of World War II
remains alive today.
(10) The time has come for the United States Congress to
honor the Comanche Code Talkers for their valor and their
service to the Nation.
(11) The congressional gold medals authorized by this title
are the recognition and honor by the United States and its
citizens of the Comanche Code Talkers who distinguished
themselves in performing a unique, highly successful
communications operation that greatly assisted in saving
countless lives and in hastening the end of World War II in
Europe.
SEC. 202. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate
arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress,
of a gold medal of appropriate design to each of the
following Comanche Code Talkers of World War II, in
recognition of their contributions to the Nation:
(1) Charles Chibitty.
(2) Haddon Codynah.
(3) Robert Holder.
(4) Forrest Kassanovoid.
(5) Willington Mihecoby.
(6) Perry Noyebad.
(7) Clifford Otitivo.
(8) Simmons Parker.
(9) Melvin Permansu.
(10) Dick Red Elk.
(11) Elgin Red Elk.
(12) Larry Saupitty.
(13) Morris Sunrise.
(14) Willie Yackeschi.
TITLE III--CHOCTAW CODE TALKERS
SEC. 301. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) On April 6, 1917, the United States, after
extraordinary provocations, declared war on Germany, thus the
United States entered World War I, the War to End All Wars.
(2) At the time of this declaration of war, Indian people
in the United States, including members of the Choctaw
Nation, were not accorded the status of citizens of the
United States.
(3) Without regard to this lack of citizenship, many
members of the Choctaw Nation joined many members of other
Indian tribes and nations in enlisting in the Armed Forces to
fight on behalf of their native land.
(4) Members of the Choctaw Nation were enlisted in the
force known as the American Expeditionary Force, which began
hostile actions in France in the fall of 1917, and
specifically, members of the Choctaw Nation were incorporated
in a company of Indian enlistees serving in the 142d Infantry
Company of the 36th Division.
(5) A major impediment to Allied operations in general, and
American operations in particular, was the fact that the
German forces had deciphered all codes used for transmitting
information between Allied commands, leading to substantial
loss of men and materiel during the first year of American
action.
(6) Because of the proximity and static nature of the
battle lines, a method to communicate without the knowledge
of the enemy was needed.
(7) An American commander realized the fact that he had
under his command a number of men who spoke a native
language. While the use of such native languages was
discouraged by the American Government, the commander sought
out and recruited 18 Choctaw Indians to use for transmission
of field telephone communications during an upcoming
campaign.
(8) Because the language used by the Choctaw soldiers in
the transmission of information was not based on a European
language or on a mathematical progression, the Germans were
unable to understand any of the transmissions.
(9) The Choctaw soldiers were placed in different command
positions, to achieve the widest possible area for
communications.
(10) The use of the Choctaw Code Talkers was particularly
important in the movement of American soldiers in October of
1918 (including securing forward and exposed positions), in
the protection of supplies during American action (including
protecting gun emplacements from enemy shelling), and in the
preparation for the assault on German positions in the final
stages of combat operations in the fall of 1918.
(11) In the opinion of the officers involved, the use of
Choctaw Indians to transmit information in their native
language saved men and munitions, and was highly successful.
Based on this successful experience, Choctaw Indians were
being withdrawn from frontline units for training in
transmission of codes so as to be more widely used when the
war came to a halt.
(12) The Germans never succeeded in breaking the Choctaw
code.
(13) This was the first time in modern warfare that such
transmission of messages in a native American language was
used for the purpose of confusing the enemy.
(14) This action by members of the Choctaw Nation is
another example of the commitment of American Indians to the
defense of our great Nation and adds to the proud legacy of
such service.
(15) The Choctaw Nation has honored the actions of these 18
Choctaw Code Talkers through a memorial bearing their names
located at the entrance of the tribal complex in Durant,
Oklahoma.
SEC. 302. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate
arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress,
of a gold medal of appropriate design honoring the Choctaw
Code Talkers.
TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 401. MEDALS FOR OTHER CODE TALKERS.
(a) Presentation Authorized.--In addition to the gold
medals authorized to be presented under section 102, 202, and
302, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate
arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress,
of a gold medal of appropriate design to any other Native
American Code Talker identified by the Secretary of Defense
pursuant to subsection (b) who has not previously received a
congressional gold medal.
(b) Identification of Other Native American Code Talkers.--
[[Page H3615]]
(1) In general.--Any Native American member of the United
States Armed Forces who served as a Code Talker in any
foreign conflict in which the United States was involved
during the 20th Century shall be eligible for a gold medal
under this section.
(2) Determination.--Eligibility under paragraph (1) shall
be determined by the Secretary of Defense and such Secretary
shall establish a list of the names of such eligible
individuals before the end of the 120-day period beginning on
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 402. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL MEDALS UNDER THIS ACT.
(a) Medals Awarded Posthumously.--Medals authorized by this
Act may be awarded posthumously on behalf of, and presented
to the next of kin or other representative of, a Native
American Code Talker.
(b) Design and Striking.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of any presentation of a gold
medal under this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
strike gold medals with suitable emblems, devices, and
inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
(2) Designs emblematic of tribal affiliation.--The design
of the gold medals struck under this Act for Native American
Code talkers of the same Indian tribe shall be emblematic of
the participation of the Code Talkers of such Indian tribe.
(3) Indian tribe defined.--For purposes of this subsection,
the term "Indian tribe" has the same meaning as in section
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act.
SEC. 403. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary of the Treasury may strike and sell
duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck under this Act
in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may
prescribe, and at a price sufficient to cover the costs
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery,
and overhead expenses, and the cost of the bronze medal.
SEC. 404. STATUS AS NATIONAL MEDALS.
The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals
for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
SEC. 405. FUNDING.
(a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to
be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise
Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of
the medals authorized by this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of
duplicate bronze medals under section 403 shall be deposited
in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas).
General Leave
Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3250.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3250, the Code Talkers
Recognition Act. This legislation celebrates a relatively unknown
aspect of American history, acts of bravery and heroism by Native
American soldiers in the world wars of the last century, acts which
saved the lives of many Allied servicemen.
Mr. Speaker, in any war, battles turn as much on information or on
secrecy as on pure military might. If you know what your enemy is
planning, you have a good chance to stop it. In both the First and
Second World Wars, our enemies were skilled code breakers, and the
ability to crack our communications costs many Allied lives.
In both conflicts, however, a relatively small band of Native
Americans were able to use their unique tribal languages to baffle
enemies. Speaking to each other either on field radios or field
telephones, or occasionally even communicating with written messages,
these men were able to quickly and accurately relay complex military
messages and orders that could not be understood by enemies even if
intercepted. Based neither on European languages or on mathematical
formulas, these tribal languages were so impenetrable to the German and
Japanese military intelligence units that they are said never to have
been cracked.
Mr. Speaker, the best known of these code talkers were the Navajo,
honored with congressional medals in the last Congress. But a number of
other tribes, including the Sioux, Comanche and Choctaw, also provided
code talkers, and the legislation we consider today seeks to recognize
them as well.
The bill we are taking up was introduced by the gentleman from South
Dakota (Mr. Thune) and incorporates language in similar bills by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) and the gentleman from Oklahoma
(Mr. Watkins).
Mr. Speaker, as the sponsors of the language in this bill will tell
us, the critical role played by the Native American code talkers in the
battles of the First and Second World Wars were critical to the success
of Allied efforts. It is long overdue that Congress recognize their
heroic efforts with congressional gold medals. This bill will do that,
recognizing the Comanche, Sioux and Choctaw code talkers, as well as
asking the Secretary of Defense to identify any other soldiers from
other tribes who also served valiantly in the defense of this country
and then awarding them medals.
Mr. Speaker, I ask strongly for the support of this legislation.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives honors many unsung
American heroes whose contributions to America's freedom are without
parallel in American history, the Sioux, Choctaw, Comanche and other
Native American code talkers of World War II.
Without the valiant efforts of these patriotic members from many of
our Native American communities, our Armed Forces would not have been
able to deceive our enemies as effectively as they did. The rare beauty
and intricacy of our Native American languages turned out to be our
most secret of weapons, and to our code talkers, America owes a great
debt of gratitude.
Our code talkers are an example of how the richness of our American
heritage became a strength that no adversary could possibly match or
overcome. America's freedom endures because our military commanders
turned the linguistic heritage of our Native American tribes into an
unprecedented asset of warfare.
Last year, in a Capitol Rotunda ceremony, Congress and President Bush
honored code talkers from the Navajo Nation with a Congressional Gold
Medal, the highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow. John Brown,
Jr., speaking on behalf of the Navajos, said at that ceremony, "I am
proud that at this point in American history our native language and
the code we developed came to the aid of our country, saving American
lives and helping the other U.S. Armed Forces to ultimately defeat the
enemy."
{time} 1230
It was a fitting tribute that the House now extends to the Choctaw,
Comanche, and to other Native American code talkers through passage of
this important legislation.
During World War II, America and its allies fought a massive war on
several fronts and the code talkers protected the allies' secrets
communications on most, if not all, of these fronts. From the Comanche
and the Choctaw against the German Army and France, to the Navajo in
the Pacific theater, more than 17 tribes in all made immeasurable
contributions to the war effort. These include Cheyenne, Comanche,
Cherokee, Choctaw, Osage, Yankton Sioux, Chippewa, Creek, Hopi, Kiowa,
Menominee, Muscogee-Seminole, Javajo, Oneida, Paunee, Sac and Fox, and
the Sioux, from both the Lakota and Dakota dialects.
The compelling story of how the rich heritage of our Native American
peoples, their language, and their heroes ultimately played a major
role in our winning World War II unfortunately took more than a half a
century to be told. And it took as long for one of our Nation's highest
honors to be bestowed upon these Native American heroes.
Today we honor their patriotism and their selflessness and their
heroic actions, and America is grateful and proud for their
contributions to our freedom. As proven by the code talkers, it is our
heritage, and our people, that will always make America a great Nation.
I only regret that we as a Congress are so late in recognizing the
contributions of American Indians to the allies' victory in World War
II and that not all of the code talkers who served are alive today to
accept this important honor. Even so, I am pleased we are
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taking this action today; and as the daughter of a World War II
veteran, I am also heartened by the progress we can all see on the
national memorial now under construction on the Mall just blocks from
here.
As time passes, we cannot let the magnitude of the great victory our
veterans achieved over the fanaticism of our World War II enemies fade
from the national memory. As we face new military challenges today,
from terrorists who also target and hate free societies, we can take
extra inspiration from the bravery of our World War II veterans and the
special place in history for the Native American code talkers. These
brave soldiers went to war for the United States despite the historic
mistreatment of Native Americans by the very government they were
fighting to defend.
I am honored to stand and honor the Sioux code talkers this morning.
Congress has stipulated that recipients of this award shall have
"performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and
culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the
recipients' field long after the achievement." The contribution of the
code talkers to our great victory in World War II meets this high
standard, and I am very pleased to join with my colleagues on the other
side of the aisle to recognize them today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune), who is the
primary principal author of this bill and who has worked very
diligently on this effort.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time and thank him for his efforts in bringing this legislation to the
floor, as well as the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), in
giving us the opportunity to recognize these great American heroes.
Mr. Speaker, South Dakota has a long history that extends back before
the founding of our country by Western explorers. Native American
culture was a way of life based upon four key values: generosity,
bravery, fortitude, and wisdom. Whether they were hunting for food,
interacting with family members, or facing the trials of life, they
always displayed these great and important values. Regrettably, the
importance and revered culture of these great people was nearly erased
from American history.
However, later, during the middle part of the last century, at a time
when Indians were discouraged from practicing their native culture, a
few brave men used their cultural heritage, their language, to help
change the course of history. These men are known as the code talkers.
They served our country with distinction in both the European and the
Pacific fronts of World War II. The Sioux code talkers, who I
represent, used their Lakota, Dakota and Nakota dialects to send coded
communications that the enemy was unable to crack. These brave men were
often sent out on their own to communicate with headquarters regarding
enemy location and strength without protection from the enemy.
Sometimes they spent over 24 hours in headphones without sleep or food
in deplorable conditions.
Today, military commanders credit the code talkers with saving the
lives of countless American soldiers and being instrumental to the
success of the United States military during World War II.
Two of these Sioux code talkers are still alive today: Clarence Wolf
Guts of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Charles Whitepipe, Sr. of the
Rosebud Sioux Tribe.
Unfortunately, the nine other Sioux code talkers, John Bear King of
the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Simon Broken Leg and Iver Crow Eagle,
Sr. of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Eddie Eagle Boy and Philip LaBlanc of
the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Baptiste Pumpkinseed of the Oglala
Sioux Tribe, Edmund St. John of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, and Walter
C. John of the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska have passed away.
Clarence Wolf Guts and Charles Whitepipe can tell us the stories of
the trials and tribulations they faced as they served our country. The
families of the other Sioux code talkers can pass on the stories told
to them by their husband, father or uncle.
The legislation before us today finally honors the Sioux code talkers
for their distinguished service to our country. In addition, the bill
recognizes two other groups of code talkers who served our country with
distinction. This bill distinguishes 14 Comanche code talkers for their
dedication and service during World War II, and it also pays tribute to
the Choctaw code talkers who served not only during World War II, but
were known to have been used for their transmission of field
communications in their native languages during World War I. I
appreciate the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) and the gentleman
from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins) working with me to recognize these heroes.
At a time in which we fully understand the meaning of the word
"hero," I believe we can all agree the code talkers are truly heroes
of this country.
All of the code talkers provided safety to fellow Americans who were
fighting so hard for our Nation. They did so by using their culture and
their native language, which had been passed down to them through the
generations. Above all, these code talkers brought respect to their
Nation and victory to our country.
Last year, we rightly honored the Navajo code talkers for the
important role that they played and for their heroism during World War
II. It is now time to honor and recognize the Sioux, Comanche and
Choctaw and code talkers for their contributions by awarding them
Congressional Gold Medals.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be the sponsor of H.R. 3250, the Code
Talkers Recognition Act, to honor the men who had risked their lives to
save the lives of others. Congress should recognize these courageous
men for their bravery and heroism in the face of adversity. Today, we
will consider this important bill and finally recognize these men for
their heroic efforts.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, and I encourage all of my
colleagues to support this important legislation. I thank the gentleman
from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) for his work in bringing it to the floor
today and say to my colleagues on the floor that it is high time that
we gave honor and due recognition to these brave men and the cultures
that they represent.
Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), another one of the
authors of this important piece of legislation.
(Ms. GRANGER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, millions of people poured into movie
theaters this weekend to see the movie "Wind Talkers" with Nicholas
Cage. The movie is set during World War II against the backdrop of the
horrific battle of Saipan; the drama revolves around the Navajo "code
talker."
The so-called code talkers were native Americans who used their
native dialect to radio important messages in code to our allied
troops. The movie "Wind Talkers" focuses on a Navajo code talker who
was the Marines' first new secret weapon against the Japanese. The
movie explores just how far our Marines were willing to go to protect
the code.
We all know that in our fast-paced, modern world, movies are our
storytellers. Hollywood often misses some of the facts, but in this
case I am proud to see the tale of these code talker heroes being told
so publicly. In my mind, the Native American code talkers are some of
the Nation's greatest heroes.
Today, it is time for Congress to give all of the Native American
code talkers the recognition they deserve for their contribution to
U.S. victories in World War I and World War II.
Like the Navajo code talkers who were recognized for services last
year, the Comanche, Choctaw and Sioux Indians also served as code
talkers in both the Pacific and European theaters during World War II.
We also know that the Choctaw code talkers served our country as early
as World War I.
These code talkers were sent out on their own to provide
communications on enemy location and strength. They sometimes spent 24
hours using headphones without sleep or food. Many of
[[Page H3617]]
these men endured terrible conditions without protection from the
enemy. Military commanders credit the code talkers with saving the
lives of countless American soldiers and ultimately to the success of
the United States in many battles.
The story of the code talkers was highlighted for me last year by a
constituent of mine, Ben Tahmahkera. He came to me and pointed out that
in July, President Bush honored the Navajo code talkers for their
contribution to the United States Armed Forces as radio operators in
World War II. Mr. Tahmahkera was very pleased to hear about the Navajo
recognition, but he wanted to make sure the sacrifices of the Comanche
code talkers and other code talkers were not forgotten either.
Ben Tahmahkera suggested that I learn more about Charles Chi-bitty,
who today is the only surviving Comanche code talker. Charles Chi-bitty
lives near Tulsa, Oklahoma, today and he is 80 years old. In January of
1941, Chi-bitty enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to
the Army's 4th signal company. Chi-bitty probably himself saved
thousands of lives during the Normandy invasion alone and he can still
remember the messages he received and sent out on D-Day. On that day he
identified where our troops were, protected them from being fired on by
our own troops and, in general, completely confused the Germans. Chi-
bitty specifically remembers saying in code to our men, "Okay, we know
where you are, just keep doing what you are doing."
The code that Chi-bitty used was never broken and, for a long time,
the Germans believed it was just gibberish. Eventually, the Germans
sent spies to training grounds in Fort Gordon and to reservations in
Oklahoma to try and crack the code. None of the spy missions were
successful.
Charles Chi-bitty, a true American hero, was also a loyal friend. He
once turned down the Medal of Honor because it did not include all
members of the 4th signal company whom he considers his brothers. Chi-
bitty says, "I am glad I am still here, but I miss my comrades. I know
that my comrades that have already gone before me are listening and
laughing right now. I know when I go up there some day, they will be
there waiting."
Mr. Speaker, today we honor Charles Chi-bitty and all of the other
Native American code talkers who so valiantly fought for our country
and protected our Nation. H.R. 3250 authorizes the President to present
a Congressional Gold Medal to these Native Americans who served as code
talkers during both World War I and II. H.R. 3250 gives these men the
honor they so richly deserve. Please support H.R. 3250.
Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins), who was raised
among the Choctaw in eastern Oklahoma.
Mr. WATKINS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the gentleman
from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs.
Maloney) for their efforts in getting this here. I would like to
especially thank the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune), my
friend, and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), my good friend
and neighbor, who represents Fort Worth quite capably.
As the gentleman from Oklahoma stated, I had the distinct privilege,
although one does not realize it as much when one is growing up, of
growing up among the Choctaw Indians in southeast Oklahoma. I heard
many of my elders talk about the days of using code talkers in World
War I, and they were also utilized in World War II.
{time} 1245
So it is with a great deal of pride and nostalgia as I think back to
what a lot of the elderly Native Americans with Choctaw ancestry were
saying for me to be part of bringing this legislation, H.R. 3250, to
the floor. I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Oxley)
from the Committee on Financial Services and the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) on that committee that combined several of these
code talker bills so we could bring this legislation together and move
it at this time.
Many people know the history of the code talkers of World War II;
however, few people know the history of the code talkers of World War
I. In the closing days of World War I, several members of the Choctaw
Nation were helpful in winning key battles. The Choctaws were the first
Native American code talkers used in battle and to win wars.
The Germans had broken the code of the American forces, and they had
captured a messenger who was running information between several of the
companies in the Army. The Army commander overheard two of his men
conversing in their native Choctaw language, and due to his smart
thinking, the use of the Native Americans' tribal language as a code
was born.
An additional number of Choctaw Indians were located in the
battalion, and within a period of hours after getting them all
together, they were relocated to strategic locations. In less than 72
hours, the Germans were retreating, and the Allies were in full attack
and moving forward.
Mr. Speaker, it has been a long time since these men did this great
service for their Nation. It has been a long time for me even to be
sitting at the knees of some of these elderly Choctaw chiefs and others
and listening to them tell this story.
I believe we should pass H.R. 3250 to honor these code talkers and
their service to this country. I urge my colleagues in a unanimous way
to support this legislation to bring honor to the code talkers of World
War I and World War II.
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, the gentleman from South Dakota
(Mr. Thune), the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), and the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins), for their efforts.
Clearly, the generation that went off to Europe in 1917 and 1918 is
now all but gone, and the young men who went off to fight the Second
World War between 1941 and 1945 is starting to show the ages and
seasons of time. But, my colleagues, by making this effort to
acknowledge these brave and valiant efforts, we do this House great
service and do this Nation the same service.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution.
Until recently the very existence of Sioux and Navajo code-talkers
had remained yet another classified war secret.
These proud code-talkers lived with the quiet dignity of knowing that
they did a great service for their nation, but could never speak of
their heroic deeds.
These Sioux code-talkers worked under some of the heaviest combat
conditions and worked around the clock, often without sleep, to provide
coded information that saved the lives of countless American soldiers.
The Sioux code-talkers were so successful that military commanders
credit the code for many victories in battle.
These brave and heroic men deserve our deepest respect. We owe a debt
of gratitude to these men. We must honor them and teach our children,
so that their quiet dignity is silent no more. So we may now honor them
as what they are--American heroes.
It took an act of Congress to honor the Navajo code-talkers, we
should at least pay the same tribute to these other defenders of our
freedom.
Let us never forget the 44,000 Native Americans who served in World
War II. They fought for a nation that has mistreated historically their
people. That is the ultimate sign of valor and sacrifice.
Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3250, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title was amended so as to read:
"A bill to authorize the presentation of gold medals on
behalf of Congress to Native Americans who served as Code
Talkers during foreign conflicts in which the United States
was involved during the 20th Century in recognition of their
service to the Nation.".
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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