HR1201 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1201 LRB100 23056 MST 42067 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is of the upmost importance that we honor those who fought and served for the freedom of our nation; and

WHEREAS, Despite everything Native Americans had endured, many of them felt the calling to serve the United States military during World War II; many served to protect the land on which their people had lived for thousands of years, others served out of patriotism, and others served to find opportunities for education; and

WHEREAS, After seeing the success of Choctaws and other Native Americans using their native languages as code during World War I, the U.S. Marine Corps began recruiting young Navajos in 1942 to serve in the Pacific during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Some Navajo Code Talkers enlisted, while others were drafted, some even served underage and had to lie about their age to join; and

WHEREAS, Over 400 Navajos were eventually recruited as Navajo Code Talkers, undergoing intense training which included basic training, extensive training in communications, and memorization of the code; and

WHEREAS, The Navajo Code Talkers played an invaluable role in defeating the Japanese during World War II by using their native language as the code for communications during combat operations; and

WHEREAS, On the battlefield, the work of sending coded messages was extremely serious; being able to keep messages secret could make the difference between winning and losing a battle and affect how many lives were saved or lost; and

WHEREAS, Navajo Code Talkers did more than speak into a radio; they had to know how to operate both wire and radio equipment, often carrying it on their backs; and

WHEREAS, The Navajo Code Talkers were so successful, that neither the Japanese army or navy were ever able to crack the code, which remained classified until 1968; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the Navajo military members of World War II and recognize the day of August 14, 2018 as being National Navajo Code Talkers Day.