[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 89 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  THANKS, AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 251

                                 ______


                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 1995
  Mr. PAYNE of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognition of American Legion Post No. 251 of 
Montclair, NJ. Post No. 251 has been an invaluable resource in its 
community. For more than 60 years, it has provided services ranging 
from youth educational opportunities to sports and recreational 
activities. In addition to these quite laudatory services, Post No. 251 
has left an indelible mark with regard to the essential role that Black 
Americans have played in the American military.
  In fact, on May 26, 1995 at the Friar Tuck Inn in Cedar Grove, NJ, 
Post No. 251 will honor the Nation's African-American service people 
with its Salute to All Black Veterans. This event will be held in 
commemoration of the numerous Black men and women who have so valiantly 
served this country. Among those to be honored include Crawford Crews, 
for whom Post No. 251 is named after. Crews was a member of the 
illustrious all Black 369th Infantry Regiment of New York. This unit 
fought in the trenches for 191 consecutive days without losing a foot 
of ground, a single prisoner, or the battle against the Germans. 
Additionally, three other Montclair residents Austin Barnes, Alonzo 
Mills, and Benjamin Smith, who all fought in World War I, will also be 
honored.
  While our Nation has been extremely slow to pay the respect and 
homage to the Nation's Black veterans that they deserve, Post No. 251 
has attempted to pick up the slack. For this, we must pay them our 
deepest thanks.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me this opportunity to share 
with my colleagues of the tremendously beneficial works that American 
Legion Post No. 251 is contributing to the Essex County community.


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