Navajo Nation Council honors Navajo Code Talkers

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2015
MEDIA CONTACTS
Jared Touchin (928) 221-9253
Jolene Holgate (928) 380-4174
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Navajo Nation Council honors Navajo Code Talkers Photo: Speaker Bates addresses Navajo Code Talkers and Veterans at the Navajo Code Talker Day event at the Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock, Ariz. on Aug. 14, 2015. WINDOW ROCK – On Friday, Speaker LoRenzo Bates (Nenahnezad, Newcomb, San Juan, Tiis Tsoh Sikaad, Tse’Daa’Kaan, Upper Fruitland), Navajo Nation Council members, U.S. Sen. John McCain, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, and Arizona Sen. Carlyle Begay (Dist. 7 – D), honored the Navajo Code Talkers at the Navajo Code Talker Day event at the Veterans Memorial Park. Speaker Bates participated in the annual Navajo Code Talker Day parade hosted by the Navajo Code Talker Day Committee, along with Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez. On behalf of the 23rd Navajo Nation Council, he also delivered a speech commending the Navajo Code Talkers. “I want to say thank you to our Code Talkers – today is your day. The result of your service, dedication, and commitment is the reason we are gathered here today,” said Speaker Bates and added, “Today, let us stand proud and recognize our fiercest warriors who contributed to the end of World War II.” Following the speech, Council Delegate Jonathan Hale (Oak Springs, St. Michaels) said that although historically, the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the federal government tried to eradicate the Navajo language through boarding school programs, it was the Navajo language that ultimately saved the U.S. from defeat during World War II. “This event is a long time coming to appreciate our Navajo Code Talkers, and the legacy they left as Navajo men, which was doing their part for the Navajo Nation and the U.S. Government,” said Delegate Hale. He added that he would be sponsoring legislation to acknowledge Navajo Code Talkers and Navajo veterans by urging the federal government to diminish the heavy bureaucracy that causes delays in receiving veteran benefits. In agreement, Council Delegate Kee Allen Begay, Jr. (Low Mountain, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tachee/Blue Gap, Tselani/Cottonwood) said that the Navajo Nation State Task Force is working to establish a veteran nursing home, veteran clinic, and veteran housing, as well as putting pressure on the federal government to aid in delivering these vital needs. Sen. Begay also had the opportunity to address the crowd and reminded everyone that the state of Arizona also has an observance day that recognizes Navajo Code Talkers. “Today, we celebrate August 14 as not only National Navajo Code Talker Day, but now for the second time in Arizona’s history, we celebrate the observance day for the State of Arizona to honor our Code Talkers,” said Sen. Begay. At the conclusion of the address, Speaker Bates said the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers will continue on for time immemorial, and has left an imprint on U.S. history. “The acts of the Navajo Code Talkers did not end with the war. Closing that chapter in our Nation’s history sparked movements in our nations such as civil rights, equality, and the promotion of democracy across the world,” said Speaker Bates. # # # For news on the latest legislative branch activities, please visit www.navajonationcouncil.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter, keywords: Navajo Nation Council