[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


1999 CONGRESSIONAL OBSERVANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH--FRANCE 
      EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO UNITED STATES VETERANS OF WORLD WAR I

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 10, 1999

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate African American History 
Month, I would like to take this opportunity to offer a particular 
tribute to two great African American World War I Veterans, who are 
residents of Harlem. Both served on active duty in France.
  Although 80 years later, Mr. Herbert W. Young, now 112 years old, and 
Mr. Robert Thomas, now 103 years old, will receive the French Legion of 
Honor Medal on February 22, 1999, during a special ceremony in their 
honor. The ceremony will be held at the French Consulate in New York. 
Both men plan to attend. Mr. Young is recognized as the oldest living 
veteran.
  Mr. Young served in the United States Army, Company E, 807th Pioneer 
Infantry from August 1, 1918 through July 11, 1919, and attained the 
rank of Corporal. Mr. Thomas served in the United States Army, Company 
A, 815th Pioneer Infantry from July 11, 1917, through August 7, 1919, 
and attained the rank of Private.
  The French government will mark the upcoming 80th anniversary of the 
Armistice of World War 1 by conferring the Legion of Honor on 
Americans, in particular, and other allied veterans of the Great War. 
The Legion of Honor is France's highest decoration, and is being 
awarded to veterans who took part in the 1914-1918 war on French soil.
  The United States entered World War 1 ``to make the world safe for 
democracy.'' Although African Americans were denied democratic rights 
in the United States, they supported the war effort in surprising 
numbers. W.E.B. Du Bois, editor of The Crisis, called on African 
Americans to ``close ranks'' despite segregation, hoping that military 
participation would earn African American civil rights after the war. 
Upon demobilization, African Americans returned to their homes to face 
continued segregation, discrimination and racial violence.
  All Americans owe a special debt of gratitude to these two men. 
Despite segregation, discrimination, and bitter disappointment, they 
defended American's freedom and democracy with their very lives. We 
salute them, we honor them, we thank them for the unselfish and 
extraordinary sacrifices, and contributions they made to the country 
and the world.

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