[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 463 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 463

Supporting the goals and ideals of Black History Month and honoring the 
     outstanding contributions of African-American Medal of Honor 
                              recipients.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 27, 2014

Mrs. Beatty (for herself, Ms. Jackson Lee, and Ms. Hahn) submitted the 
  following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 
                                Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the goals and ideals of Black History Month and honoring the 
     outstanding contributions of African-American Medal of Honor 
                              recipients.

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an 
        enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the 
        United States Armed Forces;
Whereas since its first presentation in 1863, 3,468 Medals of Honor have been 
        awarded to a total of 3,448 individuals (there have been 19 double 
        recipients);
Whereas African-American service members have played vital roles in military 
        operations throughout the history of the Nation;
Whereas 87 African-Americans have been awarded the Medal of Honor for military 
        valor;
Whereas William Harvey Carney was an American Civil War soldier and the first 
        African-American to earn the Medal of Honor after he risked his own life 
        to save the American flag and return it from the front lines of battle, 
        despite being wounded several times as Confederate troops charged;
Whereas William Harvey Carney was not presented with the Medal of Honor until 
        nearly 37 years after his act of bravery;
Whereas in 1993, a study commissioned by the United States Army described 
        systematic racial discrimination in the criteria for awarding medals 
        during World War II;
Whereas after an exhaustive review, the study recommended seven African-American 
        World War II veterans be awarded the Medal of Honor; and
Whereas African-American men and women who today serve in the United States 
        Armed Forces play a critical role in the defense and security of the 
        Nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the significance of Black History Month as 
        an important time to recognize the contributions of African-
        Americans in the Nation's history; and
            (2) honors the outstanding contributions of African-
        American service members, including the 87 African-Americans 
        who have been awarded the Medal of Honor for military valor.
                                 <all>