[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 VETERANS' HISTORIAN AL KADY PRESERVES CENTRAL NEW JERSEY'S CIVIL WAR 
                                HERITAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 30, 2000

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of two veterans, 
of two wars, 80 years apart. Aaron Hush is an African-American Civil 
War veteran buried in South Brunswick. Al Kady is a World War II 
veteran and the military historian for the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Post 9111 who located Hush's burial ground in South Brunswick, NJ. I 
commend Mr. Kady for his commitment to locating and preserving a 
significant piece of New Jersey history.
  Aaron Hush was a resident of nearby Franklin Township. Upon his death 
on January 20, 1916, he was laid to rest in the Sand Hills Area of 
South Brunswick Township, also known as the Thompson Plot.
  The Record of Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Civil War has 
recorded that Aaron Hush served from February 29, 1864 until August 22, 
1865, in the 32nd regiment of the United States Colored Troops. He is 
one of nearly 3,000 New Jersey African-American soldiers to serve in 
the Civil War.
  The Emancipation Proclamation permitted African-American soldiers 
like Aaron Hush to enlist, be drafted, or receive bonuses to serve as 
replacements. Records reveal that 2,872 New Jersey African-Americans 
wore the uniform of the Union Army. There were 469 African-American 
casualties from New Jersey.
  Mr. Kady has brought to life the importance of the Hush burial 
ground. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that the cemetery is 
preserved and maintained. He is to be commended for his dedication and 
hard work. As a veteran of World War II and past commander of VFW Post 
9111, he knows the importance of maintaining sites important to our 
national heritage.
  Mr. Kady will present a copy of Aaron Hush's discharge papers to the 
South Brunswick Township Council on April 11 for display in the 
township. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to learn about our 
local heritage, as well as our national history.
  Mr. Speaker, VFW Post 9111 military historian Al Kady represents what 
is right with central New Jersey and the United States of America. His 
discovery and preservation of Hush's gravesite is a wonderful reminder 
to the community and the country at large. Kady has served his country 
in times of great national crisis and continues to do so by preserving 
history in central New Jersey.
  This is an important example of what makes America special. A veteran 
of one war preserving the memory of a veteran of a different war; our 
common history bridging our individual differences.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Kady for his hard 
work and dedication to the preservation of historical landmarks 
throughout central New Jersey.

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