[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 117 (Wednesday, July 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTEGRATION OF THE ARMED 
                                SERVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 14, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 297 
Recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the integration of the Armed 
Services. The bill recognizes the anniversary of President Truman's 
executive order declaring a policy of equality of treatment and 
opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to 
race, color, religion, or national origin.
  The legacy of racism in America is one that runs so deep that even 
those that were willing to die for this country did not have basic 
rights while living in it. The process of getting army integration to 
be reflected in the law took over 15 years, but just like racial 
inequality throughout the U.S., it took much longer de facto.
  I served in the all-black 503rd Field Artillery Battalion in the 2nd 
Infantry Division during the Korean War from 1948 until 1952. Today I 
am proud to see that it is a much different reality for our servicemen 
of color. Today we fight side by side with all races with one mission 
and respect for the value of each individual life. But we take this 
time to honor the 60th anniversary because we must continue to honor 
those that fought for this country while suffering under the extra 
burden of inequality, as well as those that fought for justice in the 
army and outside of it.

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