Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) introduced a bill on Friday to recognize all Indian Code Talkers and award them commemorative Congressional medals.
S.1035, the Code Talkers Recognition Act, awards medals to identified Sioux, Comanche [Charles Chibitty pictured at right], Choctaw and Meskwaki Code Talkers. It directs the Department of Defense to identify other Code Talkers who served during the 20th century.
Co-sponsors of the act are Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota), Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota), Sen. Tom Harkin (R-Iowa) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).
�It is time to give all the Native American Code Talkers the long overdue recognition they clearly deserve. It is essential that we acknowledge the service of these brave soldiers, and give them their rightful place in history,� said Johnson. �Native Americans have contributed to the defense of our nation and have served with honor, bravery, and distinction.�
Get the Story:Senators urge medals for Meskwakis' WWII service (The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier 5/18) Related Stories:
Student project on Code Talkers finds a home (05/03)
Meskwaki Code Talkers granted military medals (01/17)
Sam Billison, Navajo Code Talker, laid to rest (11/23)
Senate committee to hold hearing on Code Talkers (09/02)
Obituary: Frank Sanache, last Meskwaki Code Talker (08/25)
Meskwaki Code Talkers recognized by state of Iowa (04/08)
Professor dispels myths about Indian Code Talkers (01/22)
Comanche Code Talker wonders what Hitler thought (07/21)
Code Talkers to discuss experiences at event (7/18)
Code Talkers monument set for Ariz. capitol (04/25)
Bill signed for Code Talkers monument in Ariz. (4/22)
'Let's keep those damn Indians' (11/08)
Navajo Code Talkers frank about movie (08/23)
Code Talker inspires athlete grandson (08/12)
Opinion: Not just Navajo code talkers (07/26)
Opinion: Windtalkers ignored true story (7/1)
Weak opening for Code Talker movie (6/17)
Windtalkers movie opens nationwide (6/14)
Comanche man was Code Talker too (6/13)
Code Talker movie set for debuts (6/12)
Code Talkers movie premieres (6/5)
Code Talker movie features first-timer (5/13)
Code Talkers receive special medal (5/2)
Code Talkers upset with Begaye (3/25)
Code Talker gets his medal (3/11)
Code Talker day set (3/8)
Navajo Code Talker gets own day (3/4)
Code Talker to get his medal (2/26)
Paper blasts Navajo Nation (2/22)
Code Talker still doesn't have medal (2/19)
Navajo man confirmed as Code Talker (2/11)
Navajo man recognized as Code Talker (2/7)
Code Talkers on display in Ariz. (1/18)
Ceremony honors Code Talkers (12/10)
Navajo Code Talkers given awards (11/26)
Code Talkers honored at S.D. powwow (10/15)
Code Talker movie delayed (10/2)
Code Talker ceremony postponed (10/1)
N.M. honors Code Talker (9/13)
Code Talkers honored for contributions (7/27)
'Windtalkers' splashes onto DC scene (7/27)
In The Hoop: Navajo Code Talker Pics (7/27)
Bush to honor Code Talkers (7/23)