Honoring the Service of Native American Indians in the United States Armed Forces

HONORING THE SERVICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES -- (House of Representatives - October 05, 2004)

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 306) honoring the service of Native American Indians in the United States Armed Forces, as amended.

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Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the concurrent resolution under consideration.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Oklahoma?

There was no objection.

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 306, a resolution that honors the service of Native Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States. As a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, it is a great honor for me to speak in tribute of the thousands of Native Americans who have worn the uniform of the United States or served in the ranks of our military throughout our history. As the heirs of their own proud warrior traditions that precede the founding of the United States, Native Americans have made notable contributions to the Armed Forces of our country from its very inception.

Even in the 19th century, an era of conflict between Indian nations and the United States, Native Americans could be found serving in and with our military. Native Americans fought with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. A Native American was a member of General Grant's staff at Appomattox. And Indian scouts played a critical role throughout the wars on the American Plains.

In the 20th century, Choctaw Indians from Oklahoma were used as Code Talkers in the trenches of Europe during the First World War. In World War II, the Comanche Code Talkers from the district I represent in Oklahoma sent the first messages on D-Day. And of course the Navajo Code Talkers who fought and died on the other side of the world helped turn the tide of war in the Pacific.

Two of the five Native American Congressional Medal of Honor recipients are from my home State of Oklahoma. Jack C. Montgomery, a Cherokee; and Ernest Childers, a Creek, served our country with great distinction. More recently, my fellow Chickasaw, Commander John Herrington, became the first Native American astronaut. Even now he is training in Russia for his next mission.

But, Mr. Speaker, not all Native American soldiers are scouts, Code Talkers, Medal of Honor recipients, or astronauts. Most serve in the ranks and at the same jobs as their fellow Americans. I think of my uncle who joined the Navy, fought in the Philippines, and endured 3 ½ years in Japanese prison camps during World War II. Or my brother, John Cole Jr., who followed my father, a career Air Force noncommissioned officer, and enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. They are typical of the thousands of American Indians who have served our country in times of peril.

That tradition of service continues today. Native Americans volunteer for military service at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group in America. This concurrent resolution which honors their gallant service comes as we celebrate the opening of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. That institution honors the rich history and enormous contributions made by the First Americans to all Americans.

I congratulate the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi), the proud son of a career officer and a former member of the Defense Department who represents thousands of Native Americans, for his fine work on this concurrent resolution. And I encourage all my colleagues to join him in honoring the outstanding Native American warriors who have served our country in peace and war.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to thank the distinguished gentleman from Missouri, my good friend, for his support of this resolution and, frankly, for the terrific work he does for veterans of all stripes, all colors, all varieties, all nationalities. Nobody is a better friend to the American soldier and the American veteran than my good friend from Missouri.

I had the good fortune, Mr. Speaker, recently to visit Iraq and Afghanistan. And while there, I talked to a number of my fellow Oklahomans who are also Native Americans and continue that proud tradition of serving their country and honoring their tribes. Many of them remarked quite movingly the fact that they were part of a centuries-old tradition that they took with enormous seriousness. And, Mr. Speaker, they continue that proud tradition of service today as generation after generation enlists.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi), the author of this resolution.

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Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.