Enacted 06/05/14
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
Introduced By: Representatives Abney, McLaughlin, DeSimone, Shekarchi, and Corvese
Date Introduced: June 05, 2014
WHEREAS, As many young men did during World War II, Chester Nez lied about his age in order to enlist in the Marines. He was only in the 10th grade. Filled with pride for his heritage and an abiding love for his country, Chester Nez became one of the twenty-nine Navajo men who became the original code talkers; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, men from the Navajo Nation were recruited to develop a "code" that could be used to transmit sensitive and secretive military messages that the Japanese would not be able to understand; and
WHEREAS, The men spent thirteen weeks creating a glossary of words that utilized the Navajo language as the basis for the military's confidential transmissions. Their code was never broken; and
WHEREAS, In addition to successfully creating an unbreakable code, the Navajo Code Talkers took part in every assault the United States Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, and served in all six Marine divisions; and
WHEREAS, Sadly, at the age of ninety-three, Chester Nez passed away in June of 2014. He was the last surviving member of the twenty-nine original and heroic Navajo Code Talkers; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby extends our deepest sympathy on the passing of Chester Nez. We furthermore honor and applaud the contributions of all the Navajo Code Talkers and respectfully request the Honorable Lincoln Chafee to lower all state flags as a visible public reminder to all Rhode Islanders of the sacrifices and heroic actions of these brave men; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Lincoln Chafee.
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LC005873
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