[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 170 (Tuesday, December 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1770-E1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING PUEBLO OF ACOMA CODE TALKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2013

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, November is 
Native American Heritage Month, and I rise today to honor the many 
contributions that Native Americans have made--and continue to make--to 
our nation's proud history and culture.
  Earlier today, we awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to 25 tribes 
whose members served as Code Talkers during World War I and World War 
II, including the Pueblo of Acoma, which is one of 22 Native American 
tribes that call New Mexico home.
  The Pueblo of Acoma has been in existence for over 800 years and 
their original village, known as ``Sky City,'' sits atop a breathtaking 
mesa west of Albuquerque. To commemorate the Pueblo of Acoma's service, 
the United States Mint has produced a specially-designed gold coin. One 
side depicts Code Talkers carrying out communications tasks, while the 
other side features the Pueblo of Acoma flag.
  The Code Talkers proudly served our country with great honor and 
distinction. They

[[Page E1771]]

transmitted vital information during some of the most dangerous 
battles, including every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific 
from 1942 to 1945. Major Howard Connor, 5th Marine Division signal 
officer, had six code talkers working around-the-clock during the first 
two days of the Battle of Iwo Jima. He said if it weren't for the Code 
Talkers, ``the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.'' Without the 
Code Talkers, the World Wars would have lasted longer and America would 
have suffered many more casualties.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud that the Pueblo of Acoma and the other Code 
Talker tribes are officially getting the thanks and recognition they 
deserve from a very grateful nation.

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