[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 94 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 94

   Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the integration of the United 
                          States Armed Forces.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 22, 2008

    Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Levin, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Obama) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was considered and 
                               agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the integration of the United 
                          States Armed Forces.

Whereas service members representing a wide diversity of races and nationalities 
        have fought in every war in the history of the United States;
Whereas, on July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, 
        ordering the racial integration of the Armed Forces;
Whereas President Truman declared that there should be equality of treatment and 
        opportunity for all persons in the Armed Forces, without regard to race, 
        color, religion, or national origin;
Whereas the United States could not maintain an all-volunteer force without the 
        service of, and critical role played by, service members representing a 
        wide diversity of races and nationalities;
Whereas service member diversity brings a unique perspective and experience to 
        the Armed Forces;
Whereas the Armed Forces led the way in social integration prior to the signal 
        achievement of the legal victory in the Supreme Court decision of Brown 
        v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), which rejected separate 
        white and colored schools;
Whereas the Armed Forces led the way in social integration prior to the passage 
        of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned discrimination in 
        employment practices and public accommodations, the Voting Rights Act of 
        1965, which restored and protected voting rights, and the Civil Rights 
        Act of 1968, which banned discrimination in the sale or rental of 
        housing;
Whereas the integration of the Armed Forces enhanced the combat effectiveness of 
        the military 60 years ago, and that still holds true to the current day;
Whereas the efforts of the Armed Forces to ensure equality of treatment and 
        opportunity for their personnel significantly assisted in the 
        advancement of that goal for all Americans; and
Whereas, in 2008, members representing a wide diversity of races and 
        nationalities serve in senior leadership positions throughout the Armed 
        Forces, as commissioned and warrant officers, as senior noncommissioned 
        officers, and as civilian leaders: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 60th 
        anniversary of the integration of the Armed Forces of the 
        United States;
            (2) reaffirms the commitment of the Federal Government to 
        ensuring diversity in the military; and
            (3) commends African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, 
        Native Americans, and service members of all races and 
        nationalities for their remarkable achievements, sacrifices, 
        and contributions to our Armed Forces in all conflicts in 
        United States history in the face of discrimination, hostility, 
        and other obstacles.
                                 <all>