[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 94 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1167]]
                       IN HONOR OF FRANK THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of NEW MEXICO

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of 
Frank Thompson, who passed away last week. Thompson served as a code 
talker in World War II. He and other Navajo soldiers used their native 
language to craft a nearly unbreakable code. We don't know how many 
American soldiers survived that war because of Thompson's gift, nor do 
we know how many civilians were liberated because Thompson and his 
fellow code talkers helped America achieve success. What we do know is 
that Thompson and others like him are owed a debt of gratitude we will 
never fully pay back.
  With all of the injustice that Native Americans have experienced at 
the hands of the U.S. Government, they have always given their all to 
defend this country. When Thompson joined the Marine Corps, the U.S. 
Government had only recognized Indians as American citizens for 18 
years. Yet 45,000 of the 350,000 Native Americans in this country 
joined Thompson in America's Armed Forces during that conflict. Native 
Americans have the highest rate of service of any ethnic group, and 
today there are more than 181,000 Native American veterans.
  The code talkers brought unique skills and a unique cultural heritage 
to the Allied cause in World War II. As Americans who faced bigotry and 
injustice, they eagerly signed up to free Europe from oppression. As 
individuals who had lived with the legacy of aggression against their 
people, they felt keenly the need to prevent other acts of aggression, 
even if these acts were being perpetrated on the other side of the 
world. In a sense, the Allied fight against tyranny was as much a 
Navajo struggle as a European one. The values of the Navajo soldiers 
played a crucial role in liberating Europe and Asia.
  Code talkers like Frank Thompson showed that courage has no color. 
Our respect for their service is increased by our recognition that they 
risked everything for a nation that too often failed to show them the 
same loyalty. Their actions should remind us that when we treat any 
group of Americans as second class citizens we dishonor the memory of 
all those brave soldiers who died to defend American values, including 
that sacred creed that ``all men are created equal.''
  By recognizing those who have bravely served this country, we 
encourage ourselves to be just a little bit better. We remind ourselves 
to celebrate the values that make America a beacon of hope to men and 
women around the world. Today, I recognize Frank Thompson. His heroism 
has won him immortality. For his service and his sacrifice, he will 
live forever in our hearts.

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