[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 63 (Friday, May 13, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5190-S5191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CODE TALKERS RECOGNITION ACT

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, during World War II, Native Americans 
heard the call of their country and enlisted in the Armed Services in 
unprecedented numbers. Many of these brave men performed the role of 
code talkers, using a code language derived from a variety of American 
Indian languages to ensure secure and rapid communication of 
information on the battlefield. Through three wars and five decades, 
enemy forces were never able to break the U.S. code language thanks to 
the service and ingenuity of Native American code talkers. These 
patriots provided an invaluable service to the United States and our 
allies and deserve recognition for their bravery.
  Until 1968, information related to the code talker's activities 
during both World Wars remained classified by the Department of 
Defense. The postponement in learning about the essential role of 
Native American Code Talkers has resulted in delayed recognition of 
these war heroes. The first step in recognizing these men came in 2000 
when President Bush signed into law legislation authorizing Congress to 
award gold medals to the 29 Navajo code talkers as well as a silver 
medal to each man who later qualified as a Navajo code talker. While 
this legislation was a step in the right direction, it failed to 
recognize a number of Native Americans who also served as code talkers 
but were not members of the Navajo Nation.
  During the first World War, Choctaw code talkers served with 
distinction in France. By transmitting in their native tongue a variety 
of open voice messages relating to unit movements, U.S. forces 
completely surprised the enemy during battle. Following the success of 
the Choctaw code talkers,

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soldiers from the Navajo, Sioux, Comanche and Meskwaki tribes, along 
with members of 14 other tribes, served as code talkers in some of the 
most dangerous operations in both theaters of World War II.
  Today I introduce the Code Talkers Recognition Act to honor those who 
were overlooked when medals were awarded to the Navajo code talkers in 
2001. This bill authorizes the presentation of commemorative medals on 
behalf of Congress to Native Americans who served as code talkers 
during any foreign conflict in which the United States was involved 
during the 20th century. I ask my colleagues to help honor the heroic 
contributions of these gentlemen by cosponsoring and passing this 
legislation.

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