[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 182 (Friday, December 20, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S9090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                NATIVE AMERICAN MEMORIAL AMENDMENTS ACT

  Mr. SCHATZ. Mr. President, last night the Senate passed the Native 
American Memorial Amendments Act of 2013. The bill now heads to the 
President for his signature. I introduced the Native American Memorial 
Amendments Act in May. I have worked with Representative Mullin since 
he introduced an identical bill in the House in June.
  This bill is needed to facilitate construction of a long-awaited 
Native American Veterans' Memorial on the National Mall. This memorial 
has languished for almost 20 years since the passage of the original 
Native American Veterans' Memorial Establishment Act. This legislation 
builds off of the great work of Senator McCain, who introduced the 
initial bill to authorize the Native American Veterans' Memorial, and 
Senator Inouye, who as the Indian Affairs Committee chairman worked to 
enact the law in 1994.
  My bill also continues Senator Akaka's great legislative effort to 
fulfill the promise of this memorial. Native Americans, including 
Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives, and American Indians, serve and have 
always served at a higher rate in the Armed Forces than any other group 
of Americans per capita.
  In every conflict since the Revolutionary War, Native Americans have 
answered the call to serve and defend our country. I introduced my bill 
so our Nation can recognize Native Americans' service and patriotism 
with a fitting memorial. A memorial to Native veterans will make sure 
future generations learn about the sacrifices Native Americans have 
made in service to our Nation.
  It will commemorate their exceptional commitment to the principles of 
freedom and democracy. Last month, Congress awarded its highest honor, 
the Congressional Gold Medal, to the American Indians we know as code 
talkers. These brave men played a critical, and for too long 
unacknowledged, role in both World Wars. The celebration of our 
legendary code talkers in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol was a 
historic and proud moment.
  But it is regrettable that most of the 216 honored did not live to 
see their heroic contributions acknowledged. Congress was decades late 
in recognizing the Native American code talker's work when we needed 
them most. We cannot make that mistake again. I believe now is the 
perfect time to move forward on a lasting tribute to all Native 
veterans, including the extraordinary contribution of Native Hawaiians.
  My home State of Hawaii is second to none when it comes to 
patriotism, public service, and personal sacrifice. The heroic deeds of 
Anthony T. Kaho`ohanohano from Wailuku, Maui, prove just how true this 
is. He joined the Army to fight in combat in the Korean war.
  He was assigned to Company H, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry 
Division. Private First Class Kaho`ohanohano displayed extraordinary 
heroism near Chopra-Ri, Korea, on September 1, 1951. Due to the enemy's 
overwhelming numbers, troops were forced to execute a limited 
withdrawal. As the men fell back, Kaho`ohanohano ordered his squad to 
take up more defensible positions. He provided cover fire for them.
  Although painfully wounded in the shoulder during the initial enemy 
assault, he gathered a supply of grenades and ammunition and returned 
to his original position to face the enemy alone. Kaho`ohanohano 
delivered deadly, accurate fire onto the advancing enemy. After going 
through all of his ammunition, he engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand 
combat until he paid the ultimate price fighting to protect his fellow 
soldiers.
  President Obama awarded U.S. Army Private First Class Kaho`ohanohano 
the Presidential Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest military honor, 
posthumously. Private First Class Kaho`ohanohano, the thousands of 
Native Hawaiians, and Native Americans who have served our country with 
such honor deserve a memorial on the National Mall.
  My Native American Memorial Amendments Act that passed last night 
will allow for a privately funded memorial to be located on grounds 
under the jurisdiction of the National Museum of the American Indian. 
The museum will have the much needed flexibility to raise funds and 
take on a more active role in planning and construction.
  The Native American Memorial Amendments Act of 2013 was endorsed by 
the National Congress of the American Indians, Alaska Federation of 
Natives, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the largest three 
Native American membership organizations in the country. The National 
Museum of the American Indian and the National Park Service are in 
agreement as well.
  I wish to thank the strong support of the bipartisan cosponsors of 
this bill: Senators Barrasso, Begich, Heitkamp, Inhofe, Murkowski, 
Tester, Thune, and Wyden. I also wish to thank especially chairwoman 
Maria Cantwell for her work to ensure the passage of this bill. It is 
long past time for our Nation to honor the uncommon contributions of 
Native Hawaiians, Native Alaskans and American Indians and other Native 
veterans. These brave men and women have served during war and peace to 
preserve our freedoms in remarkable high numbers. The valor of our 
Native American veterans, their dedication to duty and remarkable 
record of military service must forever be remembered. This memorial 
will do just that.
  I yield the floor.

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