WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley today said that an effort to award Meskwaki Code Talkers with the recognition they deserved cleared its final hurdle in the U.S. Senate. The legislation passed by unanimous consent in the Senate, but it still must clear the House of Representatives before being signed by the President.
Grassley is an original co-sponsor of the legislation that would authorize Congress to present commemorative 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 bill was introduced in May 2005.
“The Meskwakis were intensely involved in World War II, and it only makes sense that they get the recognition that they have long deserved. Native Americans from all across the country made sacrifices and they should not be forgotten,” Grassley said. “The Senate made a statement tonight by ensuring that their bravery is not 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
also said that the legislation passed today specifically mentions the names of the members of the Meskwaki Tribe who were Code Talkers during World War II.
-30-