H.J.R. 9 Enrolled

1

NAVAJO CODE TALKERS' JOINT RESOLUTION
2 2011 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Christine F. Watkins
5 Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges Congress and certain federal agencies to
10 support and preserve the Navajo Code Talkers' legacy and their substantial contribution
11 to the nation.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . urges the United States Congress, the Department of the Interior, the Department of
15 Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of
16 Defense, the Department of Agriculture, the State Department, and the Department
17 of Energy to support the preservation of the Navajo Code Talkers' remarkable
18 legacy.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
21
22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 WHEREAS, the few, living Navajo Code Talkers are undertaking a multi-year project
24 to build an educational, historical, and humanitarian facility that will bring pride to Native
25 American and non-native American communities alike;
26 WHEREAS, this project will educate both young and old and conserve the instruments
27 of freedom gifted to the American people by an awe-inspiring group of young Navajo men who
28 served the country during World War II;
29 WHEREAS, during World War II, these modest young Navajo men fashioned from the

30 Navajo language the only unbreakable code ever recorded in military history;
31 WHEREAS, these Navajo radio operators transmitted the code throughout the dense
32 jungles and exposed beachheads of the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945, passing over 800
33 error-free messages in 48 hours at Iwo Jima alone;
34 WHEREAS, the bravery and ingenuity of these young Navajo men gave the United
35 States and Allied Forces the upper hand they so desperately needed in the Pacific, hastened the
36 war's end, and assured victory for the United States;
37 WHEREAS, after being sworn to secrecy for 23 years after Word War II, these young
38 Navajo men eventually came to be known as Navajo Code Talkers and were honored by
39 President George W. Bush more than 50 years after the war with congressional gold and silver
40 medals in 2001;
41 WHEREAS, the Navajo Code Talkers are now in their eighties and, with fewer than 50
42 remaining from the original 400, the urgency to capture and share their stories and memorabilia
43 from their service in World War II is critical;
44 WHEREAS, these American treasures and revered elders of the Navajo Nation have
45 come together to tell their story, one that has never been heard, from their own hearts and in
46 their own words;
47 WHEREAS, the Navajo Code Talkers' heroic story of an ancient language, valiant
48 people, and a decisive victory that changed the path of modern history is the greatest story
49 never told;
50 WHEREAS, the Navajo Code Talkers ultimately envision a lasting memorial, the
51 Navajo Code Talkers' Museum and Veterans Center, on donated private land;
52 WHEREAS, the Navajo Code Talkers' mission is to create a place where their legacy of
53 service will inspire others to achieve excellence and instill core values of pride, discipline, and
54 honor in all those who visit the Center; and
55 WHEREAS, through the lead efforts of the Navajo Code Talkers' Foundation and many
56 partners and individuals, the Navajo Code Talkers' legacy, history, language, and code will be
57 preserved to benefit all future generations:

58 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
59 urges the United States Congress, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Defense,
60 the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, the
61 Department of Agriculture, the State Department, and the Department of Energy to support and
62 preserve the Navajo Code Talkers' remarkable legacy.
63 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the
64 Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of
65 Representatives, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of
66 Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Agriculture, the
67 Secretary of State, the Secretary of Energy, and to the members of Utah's congressional
68 delegation.