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

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.