[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 71 (Tuesday, June 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4931-S4932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE NAVAJO TALKERS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, We as Senators have so many opportunities to 
meet people--but I have to say I had such a warm feeling today when I 
was able to meet four of the code talkers, the wind talkers, the Navajo 
who were so instrumental in our victorious efforts in World War II.
  These old men, I told the lead actor of this movie a number of years 
ago, were just like him: Young, powerful, physically strong men, who 
fought in World War II.
  In talking to two of these Navajos this morning--two of these 
heroes--I asked them where they went during World War II. And they both 
started with Guadalcanal, and went through the various islands, 
including Guam. One of them said: At Tarawa, my buddies were killed 
right in front of me. With tears in his eyes he said this.
  We have to remember the sacrifices of the people who died in World 
War II, the people who fought in World War II.
  These brave Indians deserve all the accolades they are going to get 
with this movie. I have spoken to those who have seen the movie, and it 
is a spellbinding movie. The reason it is so good is it is based on 
facts, based on truth and reality.
  But the reason we should never forget the sacrifices of the soldiers, 
sailors, and airmen of World War II is that our freedoms today are 
based upon the

[[Page S4932]]

sacrifices they made. And students should always be reminded of that in 
the history books of this country.
  Mr. President, 1,000 World War II veterans are dying every day. The 
average age of a World War II veteran now is 80 years. I, and all 
Senators, have returned from our respective States. We all attended 
Memorial Day services. I did that a week ago yesterday. Frankly, I have 
been attending these services for many years. The crowds are smaller 
than they used to be because the World War II heroes are passing away, 
they are leaving the scene.
  So I want the Record spread with the fact that it was a real honor 
for me to meet these brave men today and to meet some of the actors who 
are in this movie.
  Again, I want the Record to reflect what sacrifices these men made. I 
am glad that finally their story is going to be made public to the 
world.

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