[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       OUR VETERANS OF COLOR, MEN AND WOMEN OF VALOR AND COURAGE

                                 ______


                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as we approach Veterans' Day, I 
would like to take this opportunity to recognize and pay tribute to the 
men and women who have fought for our country in the Armed Services, 
particularly our African-American veterans. This year marked the 50th 
anniversary of D-day. With the commemorations came some bittersweet 
remembrances.
  For most of my life, I have heard of the stories told by African-
American veterans of their treatment as second-class citizens in the 
Armed Services. In 1944, my uncle John Garrett was a Staff Sargeant and 
platoon leader of the 229th Port Company attached to the 1st Engineer 
Specialist Brigade of the 1st Army and on June 6, his contingent of 75 
men was responsible for transporting ammunition to the landing Allied 
Forces. Now, a commander of the Crawford Crews Post 251 of the American 
Legion, he often tells how he and his platoon members merely wanted to 
prove their manhood, their pride and patriotism, and receive the 
dignity accorded men of war. Instead, the French bestowed medals on 
them while their own country did not, all because of the color of their 
skin.
  Last weekend I attended a reunion of ``Black Veterans of D-day and 
the Normandy Campaign'' and marveled at the mixed emotions that were 
present. While stories of mistreatment were flying, there was a sense 
of hope lingering in the air. there are some positive things taking 
place. Our Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown, is African-
American. During the recent Congressional Black Caucus Legislative 
Conference a brain trust and hearing on veterans was held. The brain 
trust was well attended and informative. President Clinton attended a 
reception following the event and acknowledged the treatment of the 
African-American soldiers in the segregated units and how extremely 
well they performed their varied duties despite the negative behavior 
towards them. There was a general feeling at the reunion that there 
will be fairer treatment of the African-American veteran--male or 
female--in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleagues will want to join me as I pay 
tribute to these national heroes--our veterans--Norman Ashton, Noel 
Brooks, Harold Brown, Roscoe Colson, Harold Drew, Gordon Garrett, John 
Garrett, John Henderson, John Knox, Joseph Marshall, Lawrence Page, 
Jesse Parrish, Wilbur Smith, Eugene Summons, Nathaniel Wicks, Dorsey 
Williams, Edward Williams, and Norman Wilson and have United States 
flags flown over the Capitol, in their honor, on Veterans' Day 1994.

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