[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 577 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 577

   Commemorating the remarkable life of patriotism, conviction, and 
            compassion led by Chaplain Henry Vinton Plummer.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 30, 2010

   Ms. Mikulski (for herself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Commemorating the remarkable life of patriotism, conviction, and 
            compassion led by Chaplain Henry Vinton Plummer.

Whereas Henry Vinton Plummer was born into slavery on July 31, 1844, in Prince 
        George's County, Maryland and escaped from slavery to serve honorably in 
        the U.S. Navy during the Civil War;
Whereas Henry Plummer was assigned in 1864 to the Union gunboat U.S.S. Coeur de 
        Lion, which engaged numerous Confederate ships trying to run Union 
        blockades in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries during the Civil 
        War;
Whereas after being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1865, Henry Plummer 
        studied to become a minister, and felt called to serve again in the 
        United States military;
Whereas in 1866, the 39th Congress passed legislation to establish African-
        American military units and stipulated that a chaplain be assigned to 
        each regiment;
Whereas in July 1884, Henry Plummer was appointed the first African-American 
        chaplain in the United States Regular Army with a military rank 
        equivalent of Captain;
Whereas Chaplain Plummer served for more than 10 years with the Ninth Cavalry 
        and was stationed at Army forts in Kansas, Wyoming, and Nebraska;
Whereas during his time in uniform, Chaplain Plummer worked to improve education 
        and voter participation and reduce the temptation of gambling, 
        drunkenness, and prostitution among soldiers under his ministry;
Whereas Chaplain Plummer fought racism and other injustices of the time while 
        serving his country with the Ninth Calvary;
Whereas Chaplain Plummer's records in Fort Riley and Fort Robinson noted that he 
        performed admirably in his work among soldiers and in his efforts on 
        behalf of their spiritual well-being;
Whereas Chaplain Plummer endured racial bias and animosity throughout his time 
        in uniform, including being denied officer housing and being forced to 
        live among enlisted personnel despite holding the Army officer rank 
        equivalent of Captain;
Whereas in 1894, Chaplain Plummer was court-martialed, convicted, and dismissed 
        from the Army under circumstances tainted by racial and personal animus;
Whereas the Army Board for Correction of Military Records concluded that 
        personal grudges and racial bias were driving factors that led to 
        Chaplain Plummer's court-martial;
Whereas the Army Board for Correction of Military Records noted evidence that 
        shows Chaplain Plummer served his country well and was a highly 
        respected and admired officer;
Whereas in 2005, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records changed the 
        status of Chaplain Plummer's military discharge to ``honorable'';
Whereas despite the unfair and racially charged atmosphere that led to Chaplain 
        Plummer's conviction and discharge, he continued to ask for 
        reinstatement in the military out of a desire to serve his country;
Whereas Chaplain Plummer was a devoted family man, minister, veteran, and 
        community leader committed to the principles of liberty and opportunity 
        for which the United States stands; and
Whereas Chaplain Plummer rose from the depths of slavery to remarkable heights, 
        and led a life of selfless contributions to his country: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) celebrates the life and patriotism of Chaplain Henry 
        Vinton Plummer;
            (2) expresses its admiration for Chaplain Plummer for his 
        perseverance and resolve in the face of racial oppression in 
        the military history of the United States; and
            (3) congratulates Chaplain Plummer's extended family for 
        their work to commemorate his life of devotion to helping 
        others while overcoming tremendous adversity.
                                 <all>