REFERENCE TITLE: Native American veterans highways.

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-fourth Legislature First Regular Session 2019

HJR 2004

Introduced by Representatives Teller: Chávez, Hernandez A, Longdon, Shah, Terán

 

A joint resolution

 

designating a portion of united states route 89 as the "native american veterans highway", portions of state highway 264 as the "navajo code talker highway" and the "hopi code talker highway" and a portion of united states route 160 as the "native american women veterans highway" in honor of native american veterans.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, Native Americans have served with honor and distinction in the United States armed forces and have defended the United States of America for more than two hundred years; and

Whereas, Native Americans have served in wars involving the United States from Valley Forge to the hostilities in Afghanistan and Iraq; and

Whereas, Native Americans have served in the armed forces with the highest record of military service of any group in the United States; and

Whereas, the Navajo Marine Corps radio operators, who became known as the "Navajo Code Talkers," developed an unbreakable code using their native language to communicate military messages and created a dictionary and numerous words for military terms that did not exist in Navajo; and

Whereas, eleven Hopi men developed a code language that they used to assist United States army intelligence in the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia and the Philippines during World War II; and

Whereas, the Native American Code Talkers distinguished themselves in performing a unique, highly successful communications operation that saved countless lives and hastened the end of World War II in the Pacific; and

Whereas, fourteen Native American women served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War I; and

Whereas, 800 Native American women served in the military from 1941 to 1945; and

Whereas, nearly 3,900 among 1.4 million active duty military are Native American women; and

Whereas, the courage, determination and fighting spirit of Native American men and women have strengthened and continue to strengthen the United States, including the United States armed forces; and

Whereas, Native Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States, even in times when Native Americans were not citizens of the United States; and

Whereas, Native American veterans have performed an important service to the preservation of democracy, and they are deserving of continuing recognition for their efforts.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

1.  That, notwithstanding section 41-836, Arizona Revised Statutes:

(a)  The portion of United States Route 89 that is located between the Utah state line and Flagstaff be designated the "Native American Veterans Highway".

(b)  The portions of State Highway 264 that fall under Navajo jurisdiction be designated the "Navajo Code Talker Highway" and the portions that fall under Hopi jurisdiction be designated the "Hopi Code Talker Highway".

(c)  The portion of United States Route 160 that is located between the New Mexico state line and the junction of United States Route 89 be designated the "Native American Women Veterans Highway".

2.  That the Arizona Department of Transportation approve, place and maintain appropriate signage to identify the highways.

3.  That the Secretary of State transmit copies of this Joint Resolution to the Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation, the President of the Navajo Nation and the Chairperson of the Hopi Tribe.