[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 27, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1261-S1262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, perhaps one of the most moving anthems 
of this Nation was written by Katharine Lee Bates, ``America The 
Beautiful.'' In the fourth verse, Ms. Bates wrote:

     O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years,
     Thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears!

  From the inception of our Nation, many Americans have given their 
lives in order that we may enjoy the freedom and prosperity of American 
society. Now where is that more apparent than in our military history.
  As we celebrate Black History Month, it is fitting that we take time 
to remember those Americans who, undaunted by the confines of slavery, 
oppression, and segregation, fought valiantly to preserve our great 
Nation.
  During the struggle for national independence during the 
Revolutionary War, approximately 8,000 to 10,000 African-American 
soldiers served the cause for freedom. Of that number, 5,000 African 
Americans served in combat roles. These brave soldiers fought or 
provided labor in virtually every major action of the war, from the 
first exchange of fire at Lexington and Concord to the decisive victory 
at Yorktown.
  When the war of 1812 broke out between the United States and Great 
Britain, once again African Americans offered their services to protect 
this country. For example, New York raised two 1,000-man African-
American regiments and many White units included African-American 
soldiers.
  In Philadelphia, 2,500 African Americans volunteered to erect 
fortifications on the outskirts of the city, and an estimated 10 
percent of those serving on U.S. Navy ships in the Great Lakes were 
African Americans, who took part as seamen in Capt. Oliver Hazard 
Perry's victory over the British on Lake Erie in 1813. During the 
battle, an African-American soldier, Cytus Tiffany, used his body as a 
shield to protect Captain Perry during the battle.
  Captain Perry later wrote:

       I have yet to learn that the colour of a man's skin * * * 
     can affect a man's qualifications or usefulness.

  Similarly, many African Americans quickly volunteered their military 
services during the Civil War. In fact, many slaves escaped persecution 
to join the Union forces in order to end slavery in this country.
  One such brave individual was Robert Smalls. Smalls, who was born 
into slavery, was ``hired out'' by his Master for various jobs, 
including that of sailor. While serving on a ship called the Planter, 
Smalls coordinated and carried out an escape with the Confederate 
vessel into Federal lines on May 13, 1862.
  Following this heroic deed, Robert eventually was made captain of the 
vessel. Robert's courage and intelligence in delivering the Planter to 
the Union forces helped invalidate the theory that Blacks were inferior 
to whites and greatly influenced the 1862 debates over slavery and the 
Union's use of African American soldiers.
  One of the most distinguished and revered African-American military 
regiments in our Nation's history was the Buffalo Soldiers.
  After the Civil war, the future of African Americans in the U.S. Army 
was in question. However, in July 1866, Congress passed legislation 
establishing two cavalry and four infantry regiments that were to be 
solely comprised of African Americans. The mounted regiments were the 
9th and 10th Cavalries, soon nicknamed ``Buffalo Soldiers'' by the 
Cheyenne and Comanche Tribes.
  Until the early 1890s, they constituted 20 percent of all cavalry 
forces on the American frontier. Their invaluable service on the 
Western frontier still remains one of the most exemplary services 
preformed by a regiment in the U.S. Army.

[[Page S1262]]

  As a Kansan and an American, I am very proud of the Buffalo Soldiers. 
In fact, this is a picture of the late Elmer Robinson, Sergeant 1st 
Class, 10th Cavalry. Mr. Robinson served his country valiantly from 
1935 to 1955. After he retired from the military, he resided in 
Leavenworth, KS until his death in July 2000. Over the years African-
Americans continued to serve valiantly for our country such as with the 
Tuskegee Airmen in World War II and subsequent wars following. In 1948, 
President Harry Truman issued an Executive Order that paved the way for 
our Armed Forces to end segregation.
  Over the years, the military produced many distinguished African-
Americans such as, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., who was the first African-
American general in the regular Armed Forces and his son, Benjamin O. 
Davis, Jr., who became the second African-American general in the 
regular Armed Forces and in the Air Force.
  Finally, one of the most distinguished and recognized African-
American military leaders in our Nation is Secretary of State, General 
Colin Powell. Secretary Powell has served and continues to serve this 
country with distinction. He dedicated the monument we have, a statue 
of a Buffalo soldier on horseback in Leavenworth, KS.
  During the late 1980s, former President George Bush nominated 
Secretary Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff--becoming the 
first African-American to serve in this capacity. This would not be his 
last ``African-American first'' accomplishment however. After the 
election of President George W. Bush, the President nominated Secretary 
Powell to the position of Secretary of State where he serves currently 
with distinction.
  This American history is just a glimpse of what I hope will be 
showcased on a national level. As you know, we recently passed 
legislation that creates a Presidential Commission charged with 
recommending a legislative plan of action to establish a National 
African-American history and culture museum in Washington, DC. It had 
been 70 years people had fought for this museum. We passed it last 
year.
  This is the first concrete step we have taken to properly honor the 
many contributions of African-Americans in this society. Currently, we 
are in the process of nominating the presidential commission and I am 
looking forward to the commission's recommendations regarding 
establishing this museum on the National Mall--where it belongs.
  Indeed, this country has been richly blessed by the contributions and 
sacrifices of African-Americans.
  Cytus Tiffany, Robert Smalls, the Buffalo Soldiers, and the Tuskegee 
Airmen only make up a fraction of Americans who believed in the ideals 
of America and were willing to ``see beyond'' the years of their 
oppression to a society that was fully inclusive of all citizens 
despite race.
  Because of their sacrifices, our Nation has prospered and grown into 
the symbol of freedom around the world. As we continue to ensure our 
national freedom, we encourage you to join us and celebrate this 
magnificent American history; a history of a group of individuals who 
were brought to our shores in shackles, yet, helped remove ``shackles'' 
from our society to ensure that we live together in peace and 
prosperity.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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