[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL TO COMMEMORATE THE 
 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTEGRATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2008

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
this resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Rotunda for a 
ceremony commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the beginning of the 
integration of the United States Armed Forces.
  And I thank the distinguish Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, 
Mr. Skelton, for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Throughout the course of our Nation's history, the men and women of 
our Armed Services have defended our liberties with bravery, honor, and 
sacrifice. But because our Nation racially segregated its military 
prior to 1948, generations of African Americans served our Nation with 
the knowledge that they were fighting abroad for the very freedoms that 
were frequently denied to them at home. Despite this injustice, not 
only did African Americans serve honorably to fight for all our 
freedoms, they did so with the dignity and bravery that earned many of 
them our Nation's top military honors.
  Of the many units to serve with distinction, I particularly want to 
recognize the Tuskegee Airmen that organized at Moton Field in 
Tuskegee, Alabama, many of whom I would hope could be a part of this 
ceremony in the Rotunda. Over the course of World War II, the Tuskegee 
Airmen became one of the most highly decorated units in the Armed 
Forces. These brave pilots destroyed more than 1,000 German aircraft 
while accumulating an unprecedented record of flying more than 200 
bomber escort missions over central and southern Europe without the 
loss of a single bomber to enemy aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen returned 
home with some of our Nation's highest military honors including 150 
Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, 8 Purple Hearts, and 14 
Bronze Stars. But they also returned home to a racially segregated 
America.
  One of the many important milestones toward achieving an integrated 
America occurred on July 26, 1948 when President Harry Truman signed 
Executive Order 9981. This important order, which will be recognized 
under this resolution, ordered there be equality of treatment with all 
persons in the Armed Services without regard to race, color, religion, 
or national origin. Even though it took many years to accomplish the 
complete integration of the Armed Services, it was Executive Order 9981 
that began the process and it is that event, among others, that I hope 
we will honor in the Capitol Rotunda next month.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to bring the attention of this House 
to House Concurrent Resolution 297, a resolution I introduced with my 
friend and colleague Mr. Meek of Florida on February 14 of this year. 
This resolution also recognizes the 60th anniversary of the beginning 
of the integration of the United States Armed Forces. I look forward to 
the consideration of this or any other similar resolution honoring this 
important event in our history.

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