this month, we commemorate Native American Heritage Month. It is an important opportunity to recognize the exceptional achievements and contributions of those in the Native American community. They are an integral part of this country's history, which has been both proud and painful. It is important to stop and reflect on how we as a nation can learn from the past and plan for our shared future as fellow Americans. It is fitting that in this month we also celebrate Veterans Day. For over 200 years, Native Americans, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, have served honorably and with distinction in the U.S. Armed Forces. Native Americans have served in every conflict since the Revolutionary War and contribute in disproportionately high numbers to our Nation's defense. No group of Americans has a higher per capita service rate in the military than Native Americans. One of the most unique and extraordinary contributions was by the ``Code Talkers'' during both world wars. Using codes based on their distinct languages, these Native American soldiers transmitted orders and communications to troops and allies, which were indecipherable to our enemies. Later this month, 33 tribes will be recognized with Congressional Gold Medals to celebrate this significant contribution during the Second World War. This recognition is both historic and overdue.…
Share
More from Patrick Leahy
in 1988, after speaking with Bobby Muller, a Vietnam veteran who was wounded and later founded the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation--VVAF--to help alleviate the suffering of Vietnamese and Cambodians who were badly injured in the…
on May 19, I echoed Secretary of State Blinken's call for an ``independent, credible investigation'' of the violent death of widely respected Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. At that time, several Members of Congress…
we have so many things going on in Washington these days, with just about everything from budgetary matters to wrapping up this session of the Congress. I was delighted today to take a step back and, in my role as President pro tempore…
before I begin, I wanted to acknowledge that this morning, countless Floridians woke up to a world turned upside down in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico remain without power more than 10 days after the storm…





