[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18083]
[From the U.S. 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 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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