[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H6686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO IRA POTTARD

  (Mr. REDMOND asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. REDMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to a 
distinguished individual in New Mexico, Mr. Ira Pottard. He lives in 
Clovis, NM, and he is one of the last living Buffalo Soldiers of the 
U.S. Army. Coincidentally, he is celebrating his 75th birthday.
  Mr. Pottard has reason to be proud of his accomplishments and his 
contribution to military history. The Buffalo Soldier horse cavalry 
units played an important but often forgotten role in our national 
defense.
  Buffalo Soldiers attained their name while fighting in the Cheyenne 
War from 1867 to 1869. Native American warriors referred to the 
African-American horse soldier troops as Buffalo Soldiers because of 
their dark-colored dusty coats and the fearlessness which they showed 
in battle.
  Until they were disbanded in 1945, Buffalo Soldiers fought to 
maintain law and order by guarding the western front of our Nation and 
pursuing outlaws and cattle thieves. They also played an important role 
in both World War I and World War II.
  During World War II Mr. Pottard served in the Ninth Cavalry stationed 
in the Burma-India-China Theater. He later served the unit until it was 
decommissioned, which resulted in the end of a significant era.
  At this time I ask my fellow Americans to join me and New Mexico in 
thanking Mr. Ira Pottard for his years of dedicated military service as 
a Buffalo Soldier.

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