Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today i pay tribute to Clarence Wolf Guts who passed away on June 16, 2010, at the South Dakota State Veterans Home at the age of 86. Clarence was the last surviving Lakota Code Talker. Code talkers played a crucial role in World War II in communicating positions and messages that the enemies could not decipher. Their contributions to the war effort are immeasurable. Clarence enlisted in the Army at age 18 and was the personal code talker for MG Paul Mueller, commander of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry. He traveled with General Mueller and the 81st as the division moved from island to island during the fight against the Japanese during World War II. Clarence did not seek the limelight; he simply served his Nation honorably. In later years, Clarence became a spokesman among tribal elders and traditional leaders about the importance of keeping Native languages alive for future generations. He was very proud to be a veteran, a full-blooded Lakota, and a Lakota speaker. I had the pleasure of meeting Clarence at a ceremony honoring him in 2006 on Capitol Hill. Clarence is one of many South Dakotans who make us proud with their service to our Nation. Our nation owes him a debt of gratitude, and the best way to honor his life is to emulate his commitment to our country. Mr. President, I join with all South Dakotans in expressing my deepest sympathy to the family of Clarence Wolf Guts. He will be missed, but his service to our Nation will never be forgotten.…”