[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 39 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2001

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Town 
of Hempstead's special ceremony honoring African American World War 11 
veterans for their dedicated commitment and service to the country.
  Throughout our nation's history, our armed forces have gone off to 
battle and served bravely and effectively in every situation we have 
asked. As of late, we have done much to recognize the accomplishments 
of the generation that fought the Second World War, and rightly so. But 
we should not forget the special role that African Americans played in 
that conflict. The road to preserving democracy was paved by a legacy 
of racism. For this reason, I want to take this opportunity to pay 
tribute to the 1.2 million African-Americans who served in World War 
II, and in many cases died for their country.
  We cannot expect future generations to understand fully what those 
who came before saw, experienced and felt in battle, but we can make 
sure that our children know enough to say, ``Thank you.'' Fighting 
against tyranny and participating in the liberation of Europe, they 
risked their lives to defend freedom, even though they did not enjoy 
those same freedoms at home. In the process, they forever changed the 
face of America's armed forces and society.
  We owe them a debt of gratitude. As a precursor to the civil rights 
movement of the 1950's and 60's they resisted America's centuries old 
hypocrisy about race. If it was not for their belief in the future, 
surely we would not have had President Truman's Executive Order 
desegregating the armed forces. If it was not for sacrifices, surely 
there would not have been the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that racial 
segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. And surely, if it 
was not for their faith, I fear we would not have the 1965 Voting 
Rights Act ensuring the right of everyone to participate in our 
democracy. For all of this, we thank them. With bravery and 
determination they led a struggle for racial equality that doomed 
segregation and changed America forever.

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