To authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to the Comanche Code Talkers of World War II in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.

December 18, 2001

Ms. GRANGER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

To authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to the Comanche Code Talkers of World War II in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `World War II Comanche Code Talkers Congressional Gold Medal Act'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

(1) On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Empire attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the Congress declared war the following day.

(2) The military code, developed by the United States for transmitting messages, had been deciphered by the Axis powers, and United States military intelligence sought to develop a new means to counter the enemy.

(3) The United States Government called upon the Comanche Nation to support the military effort by recruiting and enlisting Comanche men to serve in the United States Army to develop a secret code based on the Comanche language.

(4) At the time, the Comanches were second-class citizens, and they were a people who were discouraged from using their own language.

(5) The Comanches of the 4th Signal Division became known as the `Comanche Code Talkers' and helped to develop a code using their language to communicate military messages during the D-Day invasion and in the European theater during World War II.

(6) To the enemy's frustration, the code developed by these Native American Indians proved to be unbreakable and was used extensively throughout the European theater.

(7) The Comanche language, discouraged in the past, was instrumental in developing one of the most significant and successful military codes of World War II.

(8) The Comanche Code Talkers contributed greatly to the Allied war effort in Europe and were instrumental in winning the war in Europe. Their efforts saved countless lives.

(9) Only one of the Comanche Code Talkers of World War II remains alive today.

(10) The time has come for the United States Congress to honor the Comanche Code Talkers for their valor and their service to the Nation.

(11) The congressional gold medals authorized by this Act are the recognition and honor by the United States and its citizens of the Comanche Code Talkers who distinguished themselves in performing a unique, highly successful communications operation that greatly assisted in saving countless lives and in hastening the end of World War II in Europe.

SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED- The President is authorized to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design to each of the following Comanche Code Talkers of World War II, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation:

(1) Charles Chibitty.

(2) Haddon Codynah.

(3) Robert Holder.

(4) Forrest Kassanovoid.

(5) Willington Mihecoby.

(6) Perry Noyebad.

(7) Clifford Otitivo.

(8) Simmons Parker.

(9) Melvin Permansu.

(10) Dick Red Elk.

(11) Elgin Red Elk.

(12) Larry Saupitty.

(13) Morris Sunrise.

(14) Willie Yackeschi.

(b) MEDALS AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY- Medals authorized to be presented under subsection (a) may be awarded posthumously on behalf of, and presented to a surviving family member of, the recipient of the medal.

(c) DESIGN AND STRIKING- For the purpose of the presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the `Secretary') shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.

SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck under section 3 at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the bronze medals (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses) and the costs of the gold medal.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDALS.

The medals struck under this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

SEC. 6. FUNDING AND PROCEEDS OF SALE.

(a) AUTHORIZATION- There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund an amount not to exceed $110,000 to pay for the cost of the medals authorized by this Act.

(b) PROCEEDS OF SALE- Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals under section 4 shall be deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

END