FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor, Legislators Express Support for Creation of a Navajo Code Talkers Museum and Veterans Center
Date: March 8, 2019
Contact: Chris Nordstrum chris.nordstrum@nmlegis.gov, 415-601-1992
(Santa Fe) In 1942, the Marine Corps recruited 29 young Navajos for a top-secret operation. The men were not told what kind of mission they would soon become a part of, yet they joined the effort in patriotic support of their country. After completing basic training, the men were whisked off to Camp Elliott to create what would eventually become one of the most famous military codes in history. 
The Navajo Code Talkers, as they came to be known, set out with one goal: to create a communications system that would stymie the attempts of our enemies to intercept critical wartime communications. The code was first put to the test on the beaches of Guadalcanal in August of 1942. The unique code they created using the Navajo language proved to be successful, and soon the Marine Corps started recruiting more and more Navajos into the effort. The code was never cracked and was successfully put into use for the duration of the war. By the time the war ended there were 400 Code Talkers prepared to serve their country.
The contribution to war efforts made by this patriotic team of men is immeasurable. While they have received recognition and appreciation for their service to the nation, the Code Talker’s legacy is in danger of being forgotten. Only eight Code Talkers are still living.
New Mexico Senator, Navajo Code Talker and living treasure John Pinto (D – McKinley, San Juan), in recognizing the need to preserve this unique World War II history for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come, introduced during this legislative session Senate Bill 365, a measure to establish the Navajo Code Talkers Museum and Veterans Center.
Today in the State Capitol, Senator Pinto was joined by fellow Code Talker and former Navajo Nation Tribal Chairman Peter MacDonald. Senator Pinto presented Mr. MacDonald with a certificate recognizing his service to the country as a Code Talker and Navajo tribal leader. Together they also met with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to talk about the importance of establishing a lasting legacy for the Code Talkers. The Governor expressed her great support for creating the Code Talkers Museum and shared the news with Senator Pinto and Mr. MacDonald that she would be dedicating a portion of her budget to this effort. Senator Mimi Stewart, representing the entire Senate chamber, was also in attendance to express the body’s support for this tribute to our national heroes. She announced that at least 22 Senators from both parties were planning on applying a portion of their Capital Outlay funding toward the museum project.
The land for the museum, which will be built in McKinley County, has already been donated to the effort. By securing the startup costs for this project, the governor and legislators believe that more investment sources will be uncovered, work on the building can commence, and the Code Talkers will never be forgotten.
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