[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4642]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING JOE ANTONIO SILVERSMITH

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. President, the Navajo Code Talkers were 
a small group of marines who contributed to the American victory in the 
Pacific during World War II. Their language and their bravery made 
victory possible and helped save Allied soldiers' lives.
  These Navajo warriors have one less man among their ranks today. My 
home State of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation lost a great man on 
February 28, 2011, when Joe Antonio Silversmith passed away at the age 
of 86. I would like to take a few moments to honor Mr. Silversmith's 
memory and his service to our country.
  In 1943, as a young man of only 18, Mr. Silversmith heeded the call 
of duty and enlisted in the 297th Marine Platoon. He served in the 
South Pacific until 1946.
  Mr. Silversmith and the 45,000 other Native Americans who enlisted to 
serve our country in World War II had only been recognized as citizens 
of the United States for 17 years when World War II began. 
Approximately 400 of these men, including Mr. Silversmith, served as 
Code Talkers--turning their native language into a powerful code, 
unbreakable by the Japanese.
  In 2001, Mr. Silversmith finally received the recognition he deserved 
for his heroic World War II service when he and his fellow Code Talkers 
received the Congressional Gold Medal.
  For Mr. Silversmith, his service to others did not end with his 
military career. A man of strong personal faith, he eventually became a 
full-time minister after returning to New Mexico.
  For those who knew him, Mr. Silversmith's devotion to his flocks--
demonstrated through his dedication to his congregation and, more 
literally, his love of herding of sheep--will be remembered fondly.
  A man of courage, a hero to his family and the American people, and a 
role model to young Navajos, Mr. Silversmith stood up for his ideals. 
He encouraged those he knew to pursue their dreams, but to never forget 
their roots.
  We owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Silversmith, his fellow Code 
Talkers, and all those who have sacrificed in service to our country. 
Let's honor Mr. Silversmith by heeding his advice to keep our roots 
close to our hearts while striving to achieve our own lofty goals for 
the widest influence of good.

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