[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 230 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

  2d Session
S. RES. 230

   To urge the President to announce at the earliest opportunity the 
  results of the Senior Army Decorations Board which reviewed certain 
 cases of gallantry and heroism by black Americans during World War II.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            February 29 (legislative day, February 28), 1996

 Mr. Inhofe (for himself, Ms. Moseley-Braun, and Mr. Warner) submitted 
      the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   To urge the President to announce at the earliest opportunity the 
  results of the Senior Army Decorations Board which reviewed certain 
 cases of gallantry and heroism by black Americans during World War II.

Whereas black Americans served in the Armed Forces during World War II with 
        heroism and distinction, often giving their lives to ensure United 
        States victory in that war;
Whereas prevailing attitudes in the Armed Forces at that time often prevented 
        appropriate recognition of the distinguished service of black Americans, 
        particularly service meriting the award of the medal of honor;
Whereas in May 1993, the Secretary of the Army convened a study to review the 
        processes and procedures used by the Department of the Army in awarding 
        medals during World War II in order to determine whether racial bias and 
        procedural violations resulted in medals not being awarded to black 
        American members of the Army for their acts of distinguished or heroic 
        service in that war;
Whereas the study recommended the review of the distinguished acts of 10 black 
        American members of the Army in World War II in order to determine 
        whether to recommend that the medal of honor be awarded to such members 
        for such acts;
Whereas pursuant to subsection (d) of section 3744 of title 10, United States 
        Code, the President may award a medal of honor to a person qualified for 
        the medal, notwithstanding that the time for awarding the medal has 
        otherwise expired under such section;
Whereas the award of the medal of honor to black Americans recommended by the 
        Senior Army Decorations Board would reverse a past injustice; and
Whereas many family members, colleagues, and comrades of such black Americans, 
        and a grateful Nation, have sought for more than 50 years proper and 
        appropriate recognition for the distinguished actions of such black 
        Americans: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commends the Secretary of the Army for convening a 
        study to review the processes and procedures used by the 
        Department of the Army in awarding medals for service in World 
        War II in order to determine whether racial bias and procedural 
        violations resulted in medals not being awarded to black 
        American members of the Army for their acts of distinguished or 
        heroic service in that war;
            (2) commends the Senior Army Decorations Board for 
        convening to review cases pertaining to certain black American 
        members of the Army for their acts of conspicuous gallantry in 
        that war; and
            (3) urges the President, pursuant to section 3744(d) of 
        title 10, United States Code, to endorse the recommendations of 
        the Senior Army Decorations Board and bring to a close the long 
        struggle for appropriate recognition of our heroic black 
        American patriots.
                                 <all>