[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1776: THE BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS 
                         COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

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                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 1995
  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced, 
with my colleague Donald Payne of New Jersey, H.R. 1776, the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative Coin Act. This legislation 
will direct the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a special coin in 
commemoration of the many black soldiers who fought for our Nation's 
independence and our individual freedom. In addition to recognizing the 
often forgotten contributions of African-Americans during this historic 
period of our Nation's history, distribution of such a coin will enable 
the Black Patriots Foundation to succeed in funding the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial, to be located in Constitution 
Gardens between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
  More than 5,000 black revolutionary war patriots fought shoulder to 
shoulder with white patriots, heroically sacrificing so that we can 
stand here today, a free people and a world leader. This contribution 
should not be forgotten. As generations of children visit our Nation's 
Capital and walk the mall, they should have a concrete reminder that we 
are descendants of men and women of all races and ethnic backgrounds 
and only together can we create a Nation in which individual social 
freedom and justice are a reality.
  I urge my colleagues to join in honoring black revolutionary war 
patriots through this commemorative coin act and enable the Black 
Patriots Foundation to complete the Black Revolutionary War Patriots 
Memorial here in Washington, DC.


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