Political Quotes

“I thank my friend, the chairman, for yielding me the time and for her gracious remarks. Mr. Speaker, Native Americans have fought against, with, and for the United States more than any other group of people in the history of our country, and it is still true today. Native Americans enlist in the American military at a higher rate than any other race or ethnicity in the United States. That sense of protecting one's place and one's land, which is such an integral part of Native American history, is deep and alive and has benefited this country. As my friend the chairman mentioned, most Americans are certainly aware of the distinguished role of the Navajo code talkers in the Second World War. What many of them are not aware of, though, is how many others served not only in that war, but as far back as the First World War. This ceremony will recognize 33 tribes whose members are considered DOD code talkers. Ten of those tribes are from my home State of Oklahoma, and three of them--the Choctaws, Comanches, and Kiowas-- reside in my district. It is a privilege for me, as a Native American, to support this resolution and urge its adoption. It is right that we recognize the contribution of these Americans-- the first Americans--who were so often discriminated against at the time in which they contributed to the defense of our country and, in some cases in the First World War, still did not have the rights of other American citizens.…”