Sen. Chuck Grassley today said that he is working to ensure that Meskwaki Code Talkers are awarded Congressional Gold Medals for their service to the United States during World War II.
Grassley is co-sponsoring legislation in the U.S. Senate that would authorize Congress to present gold medals to Native Americans who served as Code Talkers during foreign conflicts in which the United States was involved during the 20th century.
"The Meskwaki Code Talkers from Iowa were an integral part of the United States' success in World War II. These brave people put their lives in harm's way for their country," Grassley said. "Their sacrifices should not be forgotten."
In 2000, Congress voted to give Congressional gold medals to the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers who developed a code used in World War II. Because of the secret nature of their mission, Native American Code Talkers had not previously received public recognition for their efforts. Grassley said that it's only right to award Congressional medals to the other tribes that had Code Talkers in the war effort.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.