[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 21 (Tuesday, March 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING WORLD WAR II SERVICE OF MONTFORD POINT MARINES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2005

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce today a 
resolution along with Representative Corrine Brown to commemorate the 
World War II service of the Montford Point Marines.
  On May 25, 1942, the Commandant of the Marine Corps issued 
instructions to begin recruiting African-Americans for service in World 
War II. These recruits were placed in a segregated training camp; a 
portion of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina called Montford Point. Those 
segregated soldiers came to be known as the Montford Point Marines. 
They endured racial discrimination and harassment during their 
training.
  The Montford Point Marines served with honor and distinction in the 
Pacific theater, assisting in the liberation and defense of the Ellice 
Islands, Eniwetok Atoll, the Marshall Islands, Kwajalein Atoll, Iwo 
Jima, Peleliu, the Mariana Islands, Saipan, Tinian, Guam and Okinawa.
  Their courage, commitment and heroism drew commendations from fellow 
soldiers, officers, the Navy as a whole and journalists such as Time 
Magazine's correspondent Robert Sherrod, who wrote that the African-
American forces deserved the Navy's highest possible combat rating.
  The Montford Point Marines represent the highest standard of the 
Marine Corps and their sacrifice and endurance paved the way for future 
generations of Marines. I believe that it is time that Congress 
recognizes their achievements and commends their proud service in the 
face of racial discrimination.

                          ____________________