[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 34 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. CON. RES. 34

  Expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp 
 should be issued to honor the crew of the USS Mason DE-529 who fought 
                    and served during World War II.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 22, 2009

  Mr. Burris submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp 
 should be issued to honor the crew of the USS Mason DE-529 who fought 
                    and served during World War II.

Whereas the USS Mason DE-529 was the only United States Navy destroyer with a 
        predominantly Black enlisted crew during World War II;
Whereas the integration of the crew of the USS Mason DE-529 was the role model 
        for racial integration on Navy vessels and served as a beacon for 
        desegregation in the Navy;
Whereas the integration of the crew signified the first time that Black citizens 
        of the United States were trained to serve in ranks other than cooks and 
        stewards;
Whereas the USS Mason DE-529 served as a convoy escort in the Atlantic and 
        Mediterranean Theatres during World War II;
Whereas, in September 1944, the crew of the USS Mason DE-529 helped save Convoy 
        NY119, ushering the convoy to safety despite a deadly storm in the 
        Atlantic Ocean;
Whereas, in 1998, the Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton made an official 
        decision to name an Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer the USS Mason DDG-87 
        in order to honor the USS Mason DE-529;
Whereas, in 1994, President Clinton awarded the USS Mason DE-529 a long-overdue 
        commendation, presenting the award to 67 of the surviving crewmembers; 
        and
Whereas commemorative postage stamps have been issued to honor important 
        vessels, aircrafts, and battles in the history of the United States: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States Postal Service should issue a postage 
        stamp honoring the crew of the USS Mason DE-529 who fought and 
        served during World War II; and
            (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend 
        to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.
                                 <all>