[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 161 (Friday, November 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2279-E2280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 2003

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Few people realize that even before there was 
a Declaration of Independence or a Constitution, African-Americans 
could be counted among our most dedicated revolutionaries. In the fall 
of 1775, the Continental Army tried to appease large landholders in the 
South by barring all slaves and most freemen from enlisting or re-
enlisting. But by the end of the year the war took a turn for the 
worse, and the order was rescinded. So on Christmas night, in 1776, 
African-American soldiers made that famous crossing of the Delaware 
River with Washington to help him capture the Hessians at Trenton. All 
told, some 5,000 African-Americans served for the cause of 
Independence, and their sacrifices have been little remembered but 
should never be forgotten.
  There has never been any war fought involving America, whether in 
time of slavery or freedom, segregation or integration, that African 
Americans did not serve and become major contributors in serving their 
country. African American veterans have a long honor roll in serving 
America. During World War II more than one million African Americans in 
uniform distinguished themselves as P-40 fighter pilots and Navy 
Seabees, Sherman tank drivers, orderlies and engineers. Let us remember 
Dorie Miller, a steward aboard the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, who saw 
his captain fall wounded and pulled him to safety and then despite the 
fire, he manned a machine gun and downed several enemy planes.
  At the Battle of the Bulge the men of the 3496th Truck Company hauled 
weapons, soldiers and prisoners down roads that the rain

[[Page E2280]]

had turned into rivers of mud and ice. They unloaded their 2.5 ton 
trucks as mortars fell all around them.
  Also, let us remember the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II who 
overcame resentment, suspicion and segregation to become the first 
African-American fighter pilots, and time and again they flew over 
1,500 combat missions and never lost a single bomber under their escort 
on bombing runs into Germany. When African Americans broke the color 
barrier in the Marine Corps, they went to the frontlines of Guam, 
Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

  Although these are just a few instances of African Americans having 
courage, valor, bravery and commitment to the ideas in preserving and 
fighting for freedom and justice for all. We as a people have a long 
history of achievement in defending and protecting America's 
sovereignty. It was revealed in a few, even though many African 
Americans in earlier years were excluded from recognition due to 
pervasive racism, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The 
Congressional Medal of Honor was approved by President Lincoln on 
December 21, 1861 for the Navy and July 12, 1862 for the Army, it is 
the highest American award for military valor.
  There were 23 Congressional Medals of Honor awarded to African 
Americans for bravery and gallantry in the Civil War. Eight Medals of 
Honor for Naval service recipients from 1865 to 1898, 17 Medals of 
Honor during the Western Campaigns, 6 Medals of Honor for the Spanish-
American War, one Medal of Honor to Corporal Freddie Stowers of the 
370th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division which was awarded in 
1991. Seven Medals of Honor for World War II African American veterans 
who were not awarded until 1997, when only one of seven--Vernon Baker--
was still alive (four of the seven were killed in action).
  Today, I commend all of our veterans who fought and loss their lives 
to defend our country from the Revolutionary war of 1775 to 1781, the 
War of 1812, Civil War 1861 to 1865, Spanish-American War 1898, World 
War I 1917 to 1918, World War II 1941 to 1945, Korean conflict 1950 to 
1953, Vietnam conflict 1960 to 1972, Persian Gulf War 1991, and our 
future veterans of the Iraq conflict. Thank you for your service.

                          ____________________