[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMED FORCES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, as an Army brat, I rise in support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 294.
  H. Con. Res. 294 is the resolution to recognize the 50th anniversary 
of the integration of the Armed Forces. The integration of the military 
was crucial to enhancing the quality of life not only for my family, 
but for the children of all Black military personnel.
  I am proud of my father, Lt. Col. (retired) Garvin A. Tutt. He fought 
for this country during World War II as a member of the 92nd battalion 
in Italy. He also served the United States with honor in the subsequent 
Korean conflict. Yet, I vividly remember that back in the States, my 
dad, my mother, my sisters and myself could not eat in restaurants, 
could not attend movie theaters in town, could not drink out of water 
fountains except those marked ``colored'' only. However, after 
Executive Order 9981, military bases became ``safe havens'' where at 
least recreational facilities on base were open to African American 
families. Oftentimes, Ft. Bliss, in which my dad was stationed, was the 
only ``Safe Haven'' for my family.
  As an adult, I have had the privilege to work for my predecessor, a 
former Marine and a great champion for justice, Congressman Ron 
Dellums, During my employment with Ron, I had the honor to work with 
great African American Heroes of the United States Armed Forces such as 
the Tuskegee airmen. They are loyal and dedicated Americans who 
sacrificed so much for their country, all the while suffering the 
degradation and humiliation of segregation.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not think that Americans who were born after the 
civil rights movement realize the extent of the overt, divisive and 
punishing discrimination against a group of people, African Americans, 
the extent of their alienation from the rest of the people of the 
United States. The United States Armed Forces, more than any other body 
of its size, is an institution based on a strict set of explicit and 
implicit rules of behavior. The act and process of integration of the 
armed services is a political, social, and legal phenomenon that must 
be appreciated, recognized, praised, honored, and made known to all 
Americans, all people who are committed to a just and fair society.
  When President Truman issued Executive Order 9981 in 1948, it was six 
years before Brown vs Board of Education and ten years before the 
nominal integration of some of our schools. Through his leadership, 
President Truman eradicated the legal structure of racism in our 
military force. The integration of the military had remarkable, 
positive consequences for American society. I believe that this is a 
story of success largely unknown to people outside of the Armed Forces. 
This is a story of the Government taking a series of steps to bring 
equality of access to all personnel. This work made training available; 
supported promotions, and allowed people to gain experience, which has 
led to the promotion of African American non-commissioned and 
commissioned officers. This is the successful story, still unfolding, 
of a major branch of the Government working to rid itself of the evils 
of racism and segregation.
  50 years is not a long time, Mr. Speaker. The vestiges of racism and 
discrimination still exist. I hope that, as we commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of the integration of our Armed Forces, we recommit 
ourselves to ending bigotry in this country.

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