[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 124 (Tuesday, October 5, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H8115-H8117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE SERVICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS IN THE UNITED STATES
ARMED FORCES
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 306) honoring the service of Native
American Indians in the United States Armed Forces, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 306
Whereas American Indians have served with distinction in
the United States Armed Forces and in military actions for
more than 200 years;
Whereas the courage, determination, and fighting spirit of
American Indians were strengths recognized and valued by
American military leaders;
Whereas nearly 190,000 American Indian veterans have fought
for the United States in the struggle for freedom and peace,
often in a percentage well above their percentage of the
population of the United States as a whole;
Whereas the Elders of the American Indian Society have
proclaimed that official recognition of the military service
of American Indians would help engender a sense of self-
esteem and pride in American Indians;
Whereas, although November 11, Veterans Day, marks a day of
observance for all veterans who served in the Armed Forces,
the establishment of a specific National American Indian
Veterans Day would honor the service of American Indians in
the Armed Forces; and
Whereas November 7, a date during the annual National
American Indian Heritage Month, would be an appropriate day
to establish as National American Indian Veterans Day: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) honors the service of American Indians in the Armed
Forces;
(2) recommends the establishment of a National American
Indian Veterans Day;
(3) encourages all Americans to learn about the history of
the service of American Indians in the Armed Forces; and
(4) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling
on the people of the United States to observe the day with
appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to
demonstrate their support for American Indian veterans.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).
General Leave
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the concurrent resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution
306, a resolution that honors the service of Native Americans in the
Armed Forces of the United States. As a proud member of the Chickasaw
Nation, it is a great honor for me to speak in tribute of the thousands
of Native Americans who have worn the uniform of the United States or
served in the ranks of our military throughout our history. As the
heirs of their own proud warrior traditions that precede the founding
of the United States, Native Americans have made notable contributions
to the Armed Forces of our country from its very inception.
{time} 1745
Even in the 19th century, an era of conflict between Indian nations
and the United States, Native Americans could be found serving in and
with our military. Native Americans fought with Andrew Jackson at the
Battle of New Orleans. A Native American was a member of General
Grant's staff at Appomattox. And Indian scouts played a critical role
throughout the wars on the American Plains.
In the 20th century, Choctaw Indians from Oklahoma were used as Code
Talkers in the trenches of Europe during the First World War. In World
War II, the Comanche Code Talkers from the district I represent in
Oklahoma sent the first messages on D-Day. And of course the Navajo
Code Talkers who fought and died on the other side of the world helped
turn the tide of war in the Pacific.
Two of the five Native American Congressional Medal of Honor
recipients are from my home State of Oklahoma. Jack C. Montgomery, a
Cherokee; and Ernest Childers, a Creek, served our country with great
distinction. More recently, my fellow Chickasaw, Commander John
Herrington, became the first Native American astronaut. Even now he is
training in Russia for his next mission.
But, Mr. Speaker, not all Native American soldiers are scouts, Code
Talkers, Medal of Honor recipients, or astronauts. Most serve in the
ranks and at the same jobs as their fellow Americans. I think of my
uncle who joined the Navy, fought in the Philippines, and endured 3\1/
2\ years in Japanese prison camps during World War II. Or my brother,
John Cole Jr., who followed my father, a career Air Force
noncommissioned officer, and enlisted in the United States Air Force
during the Vietnam era. They are typical of the thousands of American
Indians who have served our country in times of peril.
That tradition of service continues today. Native Americans volunteer
for military service at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic
group in America. This concurrent resolution which honors their gallant
service comes as we celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian's National
Museum of the American Indian. That institution honors the rich history
and enormous contributions made by the First Americans to all
Americans.
I congratulate the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi), the proud son
of a career officer and a former member of the Defense Department who
represents thousands of Native Americans, for his fine work on this
concurrent resolution. And I encourage all my colleagues to join him in
honoring the outstanding Native American warriors who have served our
country in peace and war.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. SKELTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent
Resolution 306, introduced by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi). I
would like to recognize the gentleman from Arizona for his efforts to
bring forward this resolution honoring the service of Native American
Indians in the United States Armed Forces. I also wish to recognize the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), my colleague on the House Committee
on Armed Services, for his support of this bill. We thank him for that.
For over 200 years, Native American Indians have distinguished
themselves in military action. Most Americans would be surprised to
learn that since the founding of our country, Native American Indians
have made substantial contributions to our Nation's defense.
[[Page H8116]]
Our Nation is at war, and our troops are serving on the front lines
in combat in the Middle East. Of those serving in uniform, nearly
19,000 are American Indians and Native Alaskans, and over 3,000 of
them, Mr. Speaker, are women.
There are more than 2,000 Native Americans and Alaskan Natives
deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring
Freedom. Over 1,000 American servicemembers have been killed while in
service to our Nation; and while we honor all those who have given
their lives to defend our freedoms, today we recognize the 13 Native
Americans and Alaskan Natives among them that made the ultimate
sacrifice.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 306,
introduced by Mr. Renzi. I would like to recognize the gentleman from
Arizona for his efforts to bring forward this resolution honoring the
service of Native American Indians in the United States Armed Forces. I
would also like to recognize Mr. Cole, my colleague on the House Armed
Services Committee, for his support of this bill.
For over 200 years, Native American Indians have distinguished
themselves in military action. Most Americans would be surprised to
learn that since the founding of our country, Native American Indians
have made substantial contributions to our Nation's defense.
More than 12,000 American Indians are believed to have served in the
United States Armed Forces during World War I. Nearly 600 Choctaw and
Cherokee Indians from Oklahoma, assigned to the 142 Infantry of the
36th Texas-Oklahoma National Guard Division, distinguished themselves
on the battlefields of France. Four American Indians from the 142nd
were awarded the Croix de Guerre to recognize their bravery in the face
of enemy action. Also lesser known during World War I was the use of
the Choctaw language to encode military messages.
When World War II dropped on the shores of America there were less
than 350,000 American Indians, yet more than 44,000 volunteered to
serve this nation in uniform. It is only relatively recent that
Americans finally learned the valuable contributions Native American
Indians made to the war effort. Nearly 50 years after the war, the veil
of secrecy was finally raised and Americans learned the true story of
the legendary Navajo Code Talkers.
Navajo Code Talkers took part in every assault the U.S. Marines
conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. In May 1942, the original
29 Navajo recruits helped to develop a dictionary of military terms
that were required to be memorized during basic training. While the
Japanese were able to decipher the codes used by the Army and Army Air
Corps, they were never able to crack the Navajo code used by the
Marines. Over the course of the war, nearly 500 Navajos served as code
talkers, and it was not until September 17, 1992, that the United
States finally recognized and appropriately honored the Navajos for
their extraordinary contribution to the war.
American Indians, however, served in both the Pacific and European
theatre during World War II, and three were bestowed the Nation's
highest military award--the Congressional Medal of Honor--Jack
Montgomery, a Cherokee from Oklahoma; Ernest Childers, a Creek from
Oklahoma; Van Barfoot, a Choctaw from Mississippi.
Native American Indians also distinguished themselves in battle
during the Korean conflict. Two American Indians were also awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor for their actions on the battlefield.
Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. a Winnebago from Wisconsin; and Charles George,
a Cherokee from North Carolina.
Once again, our Nation is at war and our troops are serving on the
front lines of combat in the Middle East. Of those serving in the
uniform services, nearly 19,000 are American Indians and Native
Alaskans, and over 3,000 of those are women.
There are more than 2,000 Native American and Alaskan Natives
deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring
Freedom. Over 1,000 American service members have been killed while in
service to our Nation, and while we honor all those who have given
their lives to defend our freedoms, today we recognize the 13 Native
American Indians and Alaskan Natives among them that made the ultimate
sacrifice.
The most prominent is the first service woman killed in action. Army
Specialist Lori Piestewa, a Hopi Indian, who grew up on the reservation
near Tuba City in Arizona. She is also the first Native American
service woman to be killed in combat. The 507th Maintenance Company to
which she was assigned was ambushed by enemy forces on March 23, 2003,
near Nasiriyah, Iraq. She along with the 12 other Native American
Indians and Alaskan Natives will be remembered for their devotion to
duty and sacrifice in service to this Nation.
I am proud to be here to honor Native American Indians and all Native
Americans for their rich tradition of strength, wisdom, and warrior
ethos. And, I commend them and all those in uniform who have
volunteered to defend the rights and freedoms that we all hold dear.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to thank the distinguished gentleman from Missouri, my good
friend, for his support of this resolution and, frankly, for the
terrific work he does for veterans of all stripes, all colors, all
varieties, all nationalities. Nobody is a better friend to the American
soldier and the American veteran than my good friend from Missouri.
I had the good fortune, Mr. Speaker, recently to visit Iraq and
Afghanistan. And while there, I talked to a number of my fellow
Oklahomans who are also Native Americans and continue that proud
tradition of serving their country and honoring their tribes. Many of
them remarked quite movingly the fact that they were part of a
centuries-old tradition that they took with enormous seriousness. And,
Mr. Speaker, they continue that proud tradition of service today as
generation after generation enlists.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) for his leadership on
this as well as the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi). I think it is
very important that we recognize this very important segment of
American society, the Native Americans and the Alaskan Americans.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr.
Udall).
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
House Concurrent Resolution 306, which honors the service of Native
Americans in the Armed Forces.
The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and I have had the privilege
of representing large portions of the Navajo Nation, one of the largest
tribes in the United States. New Mexico also is the home of two Apache
nations and 19 pueblos.
According to the last Census, there are now over 190,000 Native
American veterans, constituting the highest rate of service of any
ethnic group in our country. Two weeks ago when the Museum of the
American Indian opened on the National Mall, Native Americans from
around the hemisphere traveled to Washington to celebrate, honor, and
preserve Native American culture. One aspect of that culture is the
value of service. One of the best examples is the Navajo Code Talkers,
a group of soldiers who have been credited with saving the lives of
countless American soldiers with their unbreakable code in the Second
World War.
These individuals risked their lives for our freedom at a time when
some considered them second-class citizens. Their code was so
successful and so critical to keep secret that some Code Talkers were
guarded by fellow Marines whose role was to kill them in case of
imminent capture by the enemy. The Code Talkers set a fine example of
service for generations to come.
A reminder of the brave service that Native Americans provide to our
country was brought to light once again last year when Army Private
First Class Lori Piestewa of Arizona gave her life in the war in Iraq.
Private Piestewa is believed to be the first Native American woman to
be killed in the U.S. Armed Forces combat.
This concurrent resolution, which calls for the establishment of a
National Native American Indian Veterans Day, is a fitting way to honor
America's first sons and daughters in arms. This concurrent
resolution's adoption will serve as a tribute not only to the Native
Americans who have served our country well but also to their families
and communities who have supported them.
I urge its adoption and have enjoyed very much working with the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Renzi) and the other cosponsors on this, and I
[[Page H8117]]
urge all Members to support this concurrent resolution.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi), the author of this
resolution.
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to stand before the House today to
recognize our Nation's Native American veterans. I thank the gentleman
from New Mexico (Mr. Udall), who has worked very closely with me and my
staff to recognize these brave warriors.
I have the privilege to represent eight tribes in Arizona, the
largest of which is the Navajo Nation, home to the Navajo Code Talkers.
On my travels throughout Arizona district one, I have met many of
these veterans and have heard their stories of sacrifice, valor, and
patriotism and have seen firsthand their fighting warrior spirit that
reinforces their commitment to serve our Nation in the Armed Forces.
Native American Indians and these veterans have served our Nation in
battle long before they were ever considered citizens of the United
States. From the Revolutionary War to the war in Iraq, a strong sense
of patriotism and protecting the homeland has prompted Native Americans
to answer our Nation's call. Many Native Americans come from rural
areas where they learn to rely on the land and they learn to rely on
each other for self-preservation and the family and the tribe and their
national sovereign nation. These are inherent characteristics found in
the best and brightest of our service personnel.
Five Congressional Medal of Honor recipients are Native Americans.
Last year on Veteran's Day, I had the honor of presenting the
Congressional Silver Medal in honor of nine Navajo Code Talkers on
behalf of President Bush. This distinguished group of soldiers used
their distinctive language to defeat the enemy in World War II. Today
in the communities on the Navajo Nation, they are revered and are
respected elders among the entire Navajo Nation because of their
service to this country. It is an honor to recognize their service and
to walk with them. And I rise today to give them our respect and the
honor due from this Nation to those Native American veterans, whom we
are so grateful and appreciative of their service.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) for the
representation and hard work that he has shown particularly on this
issue.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Iowa (Ms. Boswell).
(Ms. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BOSWELL. Mr. Speaker, I am very happy today to represent those in
my district, an extension of the Sac and Fox Tribe, Meskwakis, great
Americans, Native Americans, and a number of those that live in that
settlement, as they refer to it there, in Tama County, Iowa, that I
know that served as I did in Vietnam and other places. And I associate
myself with the comments that have been made already by my colleagues.
They have provided and will continue to provide a great service to our
Nation. They always have. They are willing to step up and be counted
and do their part and many times do more than their part. I found them
to be very self-giving, to be sure; that the freedoms they enjoy at
this time, regardless of the historical circumstances, they love our
Nation, and they serve it with honor and distinction, and I am
satisfied that they will continue to always do that.
So I appreciate the effort that has gone in to presenting this to us
today, and I think that this is the right thing to do, and we probably
ought to do this more often. So I am proud to share in these
compliments to Native Americans. I urge adoption of the concurrent
resolution.
Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res.
306, which honors the service of American Indian Veterans.
For more than 200 years, about 190,000 American Indians have served
and defended this great country in military action. Their service is
pronounced during our major wars. President Theodore Roosevelt and his
Rough Riders recruited American Indian Scouts for the Spanish-American
War. Choctaw Indians were used as Codetalkers in World War I. Comanche
Codetalkers sent the first message on D-Day. When the United States has
needed them in combat, American Indians volunteered to serve,
regardless of whether they were federal citizens.
Today we are honoring American Indian veterans just like every year
at hundreds of Pow Wows American Indians honor all American veterans.
During these annual tribal celebrations, the ``Prisoner of War/Missing
in Action'' flag is presented while the honor drum plays a ``Veterans
Song.'' Veterans take part in an honor dance, and are recognized for
their heroism and service to our country.
I am proud to be part of this Congress that today recognizes the
American Indians who have served our country. They have served bravely,
and deserve our recognition. I thank Congressman Rick Renzi for
introducing this worthy bill.
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
306, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as
amended, was agreed to.
The title of the concurrent resolution was amended so as to read:
``Concurrent resolution honoring the service of American Indians in the
United States Armed Forces.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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