SD Transportation Committee to hear request to rename parts of US HWY 83 for Lakota Code Talkers

PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- The South Dakota Transportation Commission is meeting today in Pierre.  The Commission is scheduled to consider a request to dedicate a section of U-S Highway 83 in Mellette and Todd County for the Sicangu Lakota Code Talkers.  Making application for the change is District 26 State Senator Shawn Bordeaux of Mission.  In listing the justification for the request on the application, Bordeaux says Sicangu Lakota Code Talkers are some of many Tribal veterans who have gone unnoticed that were an important part of defeating Germany during World War II.  He says many are familiar with the Navajo Nations involvement as code talkers but not the Dakota/Nakota/Lakota.  Bordeaux tried to make the change via Senate Bill 190, that was killed by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Shane Pullman, speaking on behalf of the Department of Transportation during the hearing, said the  Transportation Commission was supportive of the request.

U-S Highway 83 is currently designated statewide as the Vietnam Memorial Highway.  That designation will have to be removed before it could be replaced by the Sicangu Lakota Code Talker Memorial Highway designation across the Rosebud Reservation in south central South Dakota.