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H.R. 4544: Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008

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H.R. 4544: Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008

110th Congress · introduced 2007-12-13 · Commemorations · Latest: Became Public Law No: 110-420.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2007-12-13 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Boren, Dan [D-OK-2] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 110-420. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008

Plain summary

Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals (to be maintained by the Smithsonian Institution) to recognize the service of Native American code talkers during World War I and World War II. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who transmitted secret coded messages for tactical military operations during World War I and World War II using native tribal language. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify each Native American tribe, with the exception of the Navajo Nation, that had a member serve as a Native American code talker; (2) to provide a list of such code talkers to the Smithsonian Institution; (3) to design and strike the gold medals to be awarded; and (4) to strike silver duplicate medals for such code talkers or their next of kin or personal representatives. Authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicate medals to pay for the cost of the gold and silver medals. Directs the Smithsonian Institution to accept and maintain the gold medals awarded on behalf of the code talkers. Encourages the Smithsonian Institution to create a standing exhibit for Native American code talkers or Native American veterans. Authorizes payment from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund for the cost of medals struck pursuant to this Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2008

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Boren, Dan [D-OK-2] · 300 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Tom Cole (R-OK), Frank D. Lucas (R-OK), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA) and 240 more.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong110-hr4544 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110