[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 139 (Friday, October 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12470-S12471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 239--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 7, 2003, AS ``NATIONAL 
NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS DAY'' TO HONOR THE SERVICE OF NATIVE AMERICANS 
   IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF NATIVE 
             AMERICANS TO THE DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Johnson, Mr. 
Thomas, and Mr. McCain) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 239

       Whereas Native Americans have served with honor and 
     distinction in the United States Armed Forces and defended 
     the United States of America for more than 200 years;
       Whereas Native Americans have served in wars involving the 
     United States from Valley Forge to the 2003 hostilities in 
     Afghanistan and Iraq;
       Whereas Native Americans have served in the Armed Forces 
     with the highest record of military service of any group in 
     the United States;
       Whereas the courage, determination, and fighting spirit of 
     Native Americans have strengthened and continue to strengthen 
     the United States, including the United States Armed Forces;
       Whereas Native Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice 
     in defense of the United States, even in times when Native 
     Americans were not citizens of the United States;
       Whereas the establishment of a National Native American 
     Veterans Day will honor the continuing service and sacrifice 
     of Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces; and
       Whereas November 7th, a date that falls within the 
     traditional observance of Native American Indian Heritage 
     Month, would be an appropriate day to establish a National 
     Native American Veterans Day: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) honors the service of Native Americans in the United 
     States Armed Forces and the contribution of Native Americans 
     to the defense of the United States;
       (2) designates November 7, 2003, as ``National Native 
     American Veterans Day'';
       (3) encourages all people in the United States to learn 
     about the history of the service of Native Americans in the 
     Armed Forces; and
       (4) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe the day 
     with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to 
     demonstrate support for Native American veterans.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by Senators 
Inouye, Bingaman, Johnson, and Thomas in submitting a resolution to 
honor Native American Indian veterans for their service in the Armed 
Forces of the United States and to designate November 7, 2003 as 
``National Native American Veterans Day''.
  As the events of conflict in Iraq continue we all hope and pray for 
the safe return of the men and women who are overseas, far from home 
protecting our nation and others.
  Native Americans have fought in wars and conflicts that date back to 
the days before the Revolution and fought alongside the colonists 
during the Revolutionary war.
  Native people continued the call by enlisting in the armed services 
of the United States to fight in the many conflicts of our past 
including the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the Spanish-American war 
in 1898.
  In 1868, the U.S. Army established the Indian scouts to utilize their 
special skill of scouting the enemy. Theodore Roosevelt recruited 
Native Americans to be part of his famous Rough Riders. This is 
probably a little known fact.
  Within the last century, approximately 12,000 Native Americans served 
in World War I, 44,000 in World War II and the Korean War, 42,000 in 
the Vietnam war, and at the end of the 20th century there were nearly 
190,000 Native American Indian men and women serving in the military.
  At the same time, few people know that American Indians were not made 
citizens until Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924.
  In 2001, I was honored to take part in ceremonies awarding the 
Congressional gold medal to the Navajo Code Talkers who made such a 
great contribution to the war efforts in the Pacific during World War 
II. At a time when the Japanese were breaking the codes developed by 
American intelligence, the Code Talkers made use of the Navajo language 
to confound the enemy and communicate military strategy and positions 
without compromise. Of all the codes developed in World War II, the 
Navajo language code was the only one not broken during World War II.
  The Code Talkers story is not the only one worthy of recognition. 
Only recently was it rediscovered that an Oneida woman, Tyonajanegen, 
fought alongside her husband, an American army officer, during the 
American Revolution. Sacajawea, a Shoshone woman, guided and served as 
an interpreter for Lewis and Clark during their expedition. Native 
women also served in the Spanish American War and World War I as 
military nurses. Approximately 800 Native women served in World War II. 
They continued to answer the call throughout the military campaigns of 
the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operations Desert Shield and, 
recently, Desert Storm.

  We also honor the memory of Lori Piestewa, a Hopi woman, who fought 
valiantly and bravely to protect her fellows during the invasion of 
Iraq. Just as we cheered when Jessica Lynch was rescued and returned 
home, all Americans were saddened to learn of Lori Piestewa's fate.
  Some warriors served this country valiantly, yet fell, not by a 
bullet, but

[[Page S12471]]

by a broken heart. Ira Hayes is one such man. He was a Pima Indian from 
the Gila River Indian Reservation in Arizona. He eventually died a 
broken man, a victim of alcoholism and despair but to me will forever 
be known as an American hero who will forever be known as one of the 
Marines who raised the American flag with five others atop Mount 
Suribachi after taking the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese.
  Indian people have special admiration and respect for our veterans. 
They pray for ones still in battle, alongside their fellow Americans, 
so that they can have a safe journey back to their loving homes and 
families. They pray for the ones who have fought, and now, continue 
their journey through life's struggles.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.

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