[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 7 (Monday, January 31, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S652-S653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself and Mr. Vitter):
  S. 205. 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 Nine 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 for a young country. 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 
spans the greater part of American history. African American military 
service is as old as our nation. There were black soldiers during the 
revolution, a unit of free black men played a pivotal role 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. They have given more than their fair share of sons to the 
service of our Nation. Much of this history is commemorated throughout 
the State. 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% 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 American? 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, they had the lowest desertion rates in the 
Army. The 9th Cavalry was awarded 10 Congressional Medals of Honor, 
including a native Louisianan, Sgt. Emanuel Stance--a farmer from 
Carroll Parish.
  For these reasons, I am offering legislation today along with Senator 
Vitter 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, KS. 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 an 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.

[[Page S653]]

  We have made a number of changes to this legislation after 
consultations with the American Battle Monuments Commission. I believe 
these changes should address any concerns that they have expressed. 
Furthermore, we have an able and dedicated organization of individuals 
in the state who desperately want to see this project to completion. 
Last year, I had the pleasure of being in New Orleans with another of 
this Nation's great military heroes, Senator Daniel Inouye. We 
addressed a group of distinguished veterans from all around the state. 
Among them was George Jones, President of the Greater New Orleans 
Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers Association. They have been working 
with Eddie Dixon, the artist for the beautiful Fort Leavenworth 
statute, to develop an appropriate memorial in the City of New Orleans 
for over a decade. This bill will fulfill that noble ambition.
  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 owe them this public expression of gratitude.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 205

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Buffalo Soldiers 
     Commemoration Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF BUFFALO SOLDIERS MEMORIAL.

       (a) Authorization.--The American Battle Monuments 
     Commission is authorized to establish a memorial to honor the 
     Buffalo Soldiers in or around the City of New Orleans on land 
     donated for such purpose or on Federal land with the consent 
     of the appropriate land manager.
       (b) Contributions.--The Commission shall solicit and accept 
     contributions for the construction and maintenance of the 
     memorial.
       (c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Commission may enter into 
     a cooperative agreement with a private or public entity for 
     the purpose of fundraising for the construction and 
     maintenance of the memorial.
       (d) Maintenance Agreement.--Prior to beginning construction 
     of the memorial, the Commission shall enter into an agreement 
     with an appropriate public or private entity to provide for 
     the permanent maintenance of the memorial and shall have 
     sufficient funds, or assurance that it will receive 
     sufficient funds, to complete the memorial.

     SEC. 3. BUFFALO SOLDIERS MEMORIAL ACCOUNT.

       (a) Establishment.--The Commission shall maintain an escrow 
     account (``account'') to pay expenses incurred in 
     constructing the memorial.
       (b) Deposits Into the Account.--The Commission shall 
     deposit into the account any principal and interest by the 
     United States that the Chairman determines has a suitable 
     maturity.
       (c) Use of Account.--Amounts in the account, including 
     proceeds of any investments, may be used to pay expenses 
     incurred in establishing the memorial. After construction of 
     the memorial amounts in the account shall be transferred by 
     the Commission to the entity providing for permanent 
     maintenance of the memorial under such terms and conditions 
     as the Commission determines will ensure the proper use and 
     accounting of the amounts.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
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