[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13709-S13710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JOHNSON:
  S. 1854. A bill to authorize the President to present congressional 
gold medals to the Native American Code Talkers in recognition of their 
contributions to the Nation during World War I and World War II; to the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
that will recognize all Native American Code Talkers who served as Code 
Talkers during World Wars I and II. Earlier this year, the Navajo Code 
Talkers were

[[Page S13710]]

recognized by Congress and the President, and were presented with their 
Congressional Gold Medals. I was proud be a cosponsor of legislation 
introduced by Senator Jeff Bingaman granting the medals and 
participating in the ceremony recognizing their great accomplishments.
  Today, I am introducing similar legislation recognizing the over 17 
other tribes who served our Nation and democracy across the world. 
These brave men utilized their language to assist the allied forces, 
and subsequently saved the lives of thousands of men and women. Years 
ago, the United States government policy towards Native people 
attempted to force the assimilation of millions of Native Americans and 
Alaskan Natives.
  The United States government attempted to strip the culture and 
language from the native peoples of this great land. We have learned 
the lessons of the past, and I stand here today honoring these 
courageous soldiers for preserving part of the very core of their 
culture. Their language.
  It is tragic that we have waited so many decades for the recognition 
of these brave soldiers.
  We cannot hope to make up for some of the wrongs that befell the 
Native peoples in the United States, or across North and South America. 
But, we can continue to ensure that honor is continually bestowed upon 
those men and women who fought for and defended our Nation, and the 
preservation of democracy on foreign lands.
  Native Americans remain the most decorated ethnic group in our 
military forces. I am honored that we are one step closer to honoring 
those who deserve recognition that is long overdue. This truly marks a 
proud moment in our Nation's history.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring those Native Americans 
who served as code talkers in World Wars I and II. I ask unanimous 
consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1854

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL MEDALS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) not fewer than 17 Indian tribes have been identified as 
     having served as code talkers during World War I and World 
     War II;
       (2) during World War I, 15 members of the Oklahoma Choctaw 
     served as code talkers in the 36th Infantry Division;
       (3) during World War II, many Native Americans served as 
     code talkers, including--
       (A) members of the Lakota-Dakota and Sioux Tribes, many of 
     whom served in the 3d Battalion and the 302d Reconnaissance 
     Team, First Cavalry Division;
       (B) 17 members of the Commanche Tribe;
       (C) members of the Hopi Tribe, many of whom served in the 
     223d Battalion;
       (D) 27 members of the Sac and Fox Tribe of Iowa, 19 of whom 
     served in the 18th Iowa Infantry;
       (E) members of the Choctaw Tribe, many of whom served in 
     Company K, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division;
       (F) 5 members of the Assiniboine Tribe;
       (G) members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, most of whom 
     served in the 195th Field Artillery Battalion; and
       (H) members of the Muscogee Creek Tribe, most of whom 
     served in the Aleutian Islands campaign;
       (4) in December 2000, Congress recognized the Navajo Code 
     Talkers by authorizing the presentation of gold and silver 
     medals to the Navajo Code Talkers and posthumously to their 
     surviving family members;
       (5) all Native American Code Talkers have performed an 
     important service to the preservation of democracy, and 
     deserve proper recognition, which is long overdue;
       (6) because the code was so successful, the Native American 
     Code Talkers are credited with saving the lives of countless 
     American and Allied Forces during World War II; and
       (7) Native Americans continue to be one of the most 
     represented and decorated ethnic groups in the United States 
     Armed Forces.
       (b) Congressional Medals Authorized.--
       (1) Presentation authorized.--To express recognition by the 
     United States and its citizens of the achievements of the 
     Native American Code Talkers, the President is authorized to 
     award to each of the Native American Code Talkers, or a 
     surviving family member, on behalf of Congress, a gold medal 
     of appropriate design.
       (2) Design and striking.--For purposes of the awards 
     authorized by paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall 
     strike gold medals with suitable emblems, devices, and 
     inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Duplicate Medals.--The Secretary may strike and sell 
     duplicates in bronze of the medals struck pursuant to this 
     section, under 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 medals.
       (d) Status as National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant 
     to this section are national medals for purposes of chapter 
     51, of title 31, United States Code.
       (e) Funding.--
       (1) Authority to use fund amounts.--There is authorized to 
     be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise 
     Fund, such sums as may be necessary to pay for the costs of 
     the medals authorized by this section.
       (2) Proceeds of sale.--Amounts received from the sale of 
     duplicate medals under this section shall be deposited in the 
     United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
                                 ______