{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362866", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.25.13", "2013-11-25", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Many children are taught that America\u2019s First Thanksgiving took place in 1621 at Massachusetts\u2019 Plymouth Plantation.\u00a0 But it is Virginia, and not the Bay State, that has the right to claim ownership of the First English settlement Thanksgiving.  \n\u00a0  \nIn 1619 \u2013 around a year before the pilgrims even arrived at Plymouth \u2013 a group of English colonists arrived at Berkeley Plantation and established the Thanksgiving tradition.\u00a0 In accordance with instructions sent by the London Company, upon arriving at Berkeley, Captain John Woodlief and fellow colonists prayed*: \n\u201cWe ordain that this day of our ship's arrival, at the place assigned for plantacon, [meaning plantation], in the land of Virginia, shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.\u201d\nOf course, it is true that the colony at Plymouth held a three-day festival to celebrate their safe travels, a successful growing season, and the assistance of the Native Americans.\u00a0 The relationship between these new settlers and the Native Americans did not end with this meal. \u00a0Obviously, Native Americans and European settlers would engage in numerous wars, acts of treachery, and atrocities, but when our nation was threatened from powers across the seas, Native Americans were proud to defend these United States.\nAs written in the Washington Post, \u201cDuring the dark, early days of World War II, American military commanders were desperate for a code that could not be cracked by the Japanese.\n\u201cThe solution rested in the obscure languages spoken by Native American tribes, unfathomable to the Japanese.\u00a0 Native American code talkers, as they became known, were able to transmit messages quickly and securely, giving American forces a critical edge.\u201d\nThe first recorded use of code talkers as a part of our Armed Forces was in October of 1918.\u00a0 They thwarted our enemies, using their native language to communicate securely and secretly.  \n\u00a0   \nAccording to the Defense Department, more than 400 code talkers served during World War I and World War II.\u00a0 Navajo code talkers served in the largest numbers, and were recognized for their service in a 2001 ceremony featuring President George W. Bush.\u00a0 However, many Native American code talkers of different tribes were not given the same recognition.\nIn 2008, Congress passed a bill that would authorize gold medals for other tribes and, because there are no central records regarding code talkers, the Pentagon researched for the last several years to determine which tribes were eligible for recognition.\u00a0 Perhaps complicating matters further is the fact that, because code talkers were sworn to secrecy, many of them passed away without having revealed their heroic actions, even to those they loved.\nJust last week, I joined other members of the House and the Senate in the Capitol Visitor Center\u2019s Emancipation Hall for a ceremony honoring Native American code talkers from 33 tribes throughout the United States with the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress\u2019 highest expression of gratitude.\nThe tribes being recognized at this moving ceremony received Congressional Gold Medals of a unique design befitting that tribe.\u00a0 Also, more than 200 silver medals were presented to living code talkers or a surviving family member.\nAs Speaker John Boehner said of code talkers, \u201cThey mobilized the simplest weapon \u2013 language \u2013 to thwart the fiercest enemy free people have ever known.\u201d  \n\u00a0   \nAttending the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony was the Robinson family from Roanoke County.\u00a0 Mr. Robinson\u2019s uncle, Mr. Harold W. Morgan, was a code talker, and a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.\u00a0 Speaking with the Robinsons after the ceremony about their family heritage and about Mr. Morgan, his service to our nation, and the Pawnee Nation\u2019s Congressional Gold Medal was humbling.\u00a0 I will never forget it.  \n\u00a0  \nThis season, more than any other, is the time in which we gather together in thanksgiving, in recognition of our blessings, and in praise.\u00a0 Along with being thankful for the blessings bestowed upon me and my family, I will express my deep gratitude this Thanksgiving for heroes like Mr. Harold W. Morgan, his fellow code talkers, and other members of our Armed Forces both past and present.  \n\u00a0   \nMay God bless these heroes, may God bless you and your loved ones, and may God bless these United States.\u00a0 Best wishes for a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  \n\u00a0  \nAs always, if you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office by email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\n###\n \n* http://www.timesdispatch.com/opinion/their-opinion/in-virginia-a-season-of-thanksgiving/article_8c11aad7-9402-5984-8e59-6b4d347f09ab.html\n###", 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": ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362866"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.6615578681230545, "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"}