{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221044058/http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=47524", "Grassley Helps Honor Iowans in Ceremony for Native American Code Talkers", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Charles Grassley", "G000386", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today helped to honor members of the\u00a0Meskwaki Nation at a congressional gold medal ceremony honoring the Native American code talkers who served the United States in military conflicts including World Wars I and II.\n\u00a0\n\u201cThe ceremony was long overdue but the recognition was heartfelt,\u201d Grassley said.\u00a0 \u201cAll of us are grateful for the contribution of the Meskwaki members and others who used their language in service to our country.\u00a0 The code talkers saved lives.\u00a0 They used something unique to them to help preserve the United States from sworn enemies.\u201d \n\u00a0\nThe ceremony in the U.S. Capitol featured representatives of the Meskwaki visiting from Iowa, mostly Tama County.\u00a0 The Meskwaki Nation was among 33 tribes honored for their code talker service.\u00a0 The code talkers used their native languages to communicate key military intelligence during wartime, befuddling U.S. enemies who couldn\u2019t interpret the language.\u00a0 Their service is credited with saving lives. \n\u00a0\nGrassley co-sponsored legislation, enacted into law in 2008, that authorized Congress to present gold medals to the Native Americans who served as code talkers during foreign conflicts in which the United States was involved during the 20th century.\u00a0 \n\u00a0\nThe following individuals were either in attendance or invited to attend today\u2019s ceremony.\u00a0 \n\u00a0\nMrs. Theresa Lynne Mahoney, Descendant of Honoree Benson, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\u00a0\nMr. Robert John Roberts, Descendant of Honoree Roberts, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\u00a0\nMs. Ramona Norma Sanache, Descendant of Honoree F. Sanache, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\u00a0\nMr. Alvin Lee Sanache, Descendant of Honoree W. Sanache, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\nMs. Melissa Rose Youngbear; Descendant of Honoree M. Wabaunasee, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\nMs. Marguerite Youngbear Bass, Descendant of Honoree Youngbear, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\nMr. Larry Craig Lasley Sr., Representative, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\u00a0\nMr. Robin Lee Roberts, Representative, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\nMr. Ramakrishna Dhanwada, Representative, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\nMs. Beatrice Youngbear, Tribal Council Member, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki;\nMs. Shirlene Fawn Seymour, Descendant of Honoree Twin, Winnebago;\nMr. Daniel Ray Wabaunasee, Descendant of Honoree Judie Wabaunasee, Sac and Fox/Meskwaki.\n\u00a0\nPhotos from today\u2019s ceremony are available here. \u00a0Images of the Meskwaki\u2019s congressional gold medal are available here.\n\u00a0\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221044058/http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=47524"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.547996886074543, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}