[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 22 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1541-S1542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU:
  S. 1988. A bill to authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission 
to establish in the State of Louisiana a memorial to honor the Buffalo 
Soldiers; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, one hundred and thirty five years ago, 
before the term Homeland Security was even coined, a group of men 
devoted themselves to securing the frontiers of this Nation. They 
protected Americans in their homes; they deterred hostile invaders, and 
they secured the blessings of liberty to the people of this land. Even 
more remarkable, they secured these blessings for others, while they 
could not fully enjoy them themselves.
  I am referring to the Buffalo Soldiers. These brave men instituted a 
tradition of professional military service for African Americans that 
stretches one hundred and thirty five years to our triumphs occurring 
this very day. African Americans military service is as old as our 
Nation. There were black soldiers during the revolution, a unit of free 
black men played a pivotal rule in the Battle of New Orleans, and the 
exploits of African Americans during the Civil War have been captured 
in novels and on film. However, it was not until the Army 
Reorganization Act of 1866 that soldiering and service to country 
became a realistic option for African Americans seeking to improve 
their quality of life. In so doing, they raised the bar of freedom, and 
revealed the injustice of preventing the defenders of democracy from 
fully participating in it.
  The city of New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana have a rich 
history, and have, over the years given more than their fair share of 
sons in service to their Nation. Much of this history is commemorated 
around the city. Yet these great sons of New Orleans remain 
unacknowledged in their home. For in Louisiana's great military 
tradition, surely one of its greatest military contributions were the 
9th Cavalry Regiment and the 25th Infantry Regiment.
  These two forces, recruited and organized in New Orleans, represent 
half of all the units of buffalo soldiers. The 9th Cavalry alone 
constituted 10 percent of all the American cavalry. Their list of 
adversaries reads like a who's who of the Old West, Geronimo, Sitting 
Bull, Poncho Villa. In movies, when settlers encounter Apaches, the 
cavalry always comes to the rescue. Yet how many times were the cavalry 
that rode over the horizon African Americans? Of course, the reality is 
that the Buffalo Soldiers comprised some of our Nations most capable 
and loyal troops. Despite suffering the worst deprivations known to any 
American soldiers of the period, their desertion rates were the lowest 
in the Army. The 9th Cavalry was awarded 15 Congressional Medals of 
Honor, including two to native Louisianians First Sergeant Moses 
Williams and Sergeant Emmanuel Stance.
  For these reasons, I am offering legislation that would authorize the 
creation of a suitable memorial in New Orleans for these gallant 
soldiers. There is an excellent statue to the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort 
Leavenworth Kansas. It commemorates the 10th Cavalry Regiment stationed 
there. However, I believe that these men deserve to be recognized in 
their home city. Furthermore, it should be in a location where 
thousands of visitors will have the opportunity to come to appreciate 
the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers. I believe that the city of New 
Orleans is the perfect location.
  This Nation has sadly found the need to say thank you to its 
servicemen and women after the fact on more than one occasion. 
Unfortunately, this is another. We are fortunate to have living 
memories of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments today. The regiments 
were not disbanded until the conclusion of World War Two, where they 
served with distinction. We should take this opportunity to honor these 
veterans, and in so doing, honor the principles of liberty, freedom, 
and democracy for which they fought and sacrificed. They have given so 
much to their Nation, we

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owe them this public expression of gratitude.

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