[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 26 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 230--RELATIVE TO THE SENIOR ARMY DECORATIONS BOARD

  Mr. INHOFE (for himself, Ms. Mosley-Braun, and Mr. Warner) submitted 
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 230

       Whereas black Americans served in the Armed Forces during 
     World War II with heroism and distinction, often giving their 
     lives to ensure United States victory in that war;
       Whereas prevailing attitudes in the Armed Forces at that 
     time often prevented appropriate recognition of the 
     distinguished service of black Americans, particularly 
     service meriting the award of the medal of honor;
       Whereas in May 1993, the Secretary of the Army convened a 
     study to review the processes and procedures used by the 
     Department of the Army in awarding medals during World War II 
     in order to determine whether racial bias and procedural 
     violations resulted in medals not being awarded to black 
     American members of the Army for their acts of 
     distinguished or heroic service in that war;
       Whereas the study recommended the review of the 
     distinguished acts of 10 black American members of the Army 
     in World War II in order to determine whether to recommend 
     that the medal of honor be awarded to such members for such 
     acts;
       Whereas pursuant to subsection (d) of section 3744 of title 
     10, United States Code, the President may award a medal of 
     honor to a person qualified for the medal, notwithstanding 
     that the time for awarding the medal has otherwise expired 
     under such section;
       Whereas the award of the medal of honor to black Americans 
     recommended by the Senior Army Decorations Board would 
     reverse a past injustice; and
       Whereas many family members, colleagues, and comrades of 
     such black Americans, and a grateful Nation, have sought for 
     more than 50 years proper and appropriate recognition for the 
     distinguished actions of such black Americans: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the Secretary of the Army for convening a 
     study to review the processes and procedures used by the 
     Department of the Army in awarding medals for service in 
     World War II in order to determine whether racial bias and 
     procedural violations resulted in medals not being awarded to 
     black American members of the Army for their acts of 
     distinguished or heroic service in that war;
       (2) commends the Senior Army Decorations Board for 
     convening to review cases pertaining to certain black 
     American members of the Army for their acts of conspicuous 
     gallantry in that war; and
       (3) urges the President, pursuant to section 3744(d) of 
     title 10, United States Code, to endorse the recommendations 
     of the Senior Army Decorations Board and bring to a close the 
     long struggle for appropriate recognition of our heroic black 
     American patriots.

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