45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2001

HONORING SENATOR JOHN PINTO FOR HIS SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NAVAJO CODE TALKERS.

WHEREAS, during World War II, the United States military developed and utilized a secret military code based on the Navajo language; and

WHEREAS, members of the Navajo Nation were recruited to serve as Marine Corps radio operators to use the Navajo language to communicate complex military messages in the South Pacific; and

WHEREAS, the radio operators and their ability to communicate messages in a unique, unbreakable code are credited with saving countless lives and hastening the end of World War II in the Pacific theater; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico Senate is particularly proud to count as one of its own Senator John Pinto, a former Navajo Code Talker; and

WHEREAS, this year Senator Pinto will receive a silver congressional medal for his World War II service and his contributions to the Navajo Code Talkers; and

WHEREAS, at a time when some members of New Mexico's Native American population were still denied the right to vote, members of the Navajo Nation like Senator Pinto stepped forward to protect and defend their country; and

WHEREAS, New Mexicans should never forget the injustices to or the contributions of Senator John Pinto and his fellow Navajo Code Talkers who so honorably and successfully defended their country in its hour of need;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Senator John Pinto and the Navajo Code Talkers be recognized and honored for their important contributions to the Allied effort in World War II; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be delivered to Senator John Pinto and to the president of the Navajo Nation.