[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 111 (Wednesday, July 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7890-S7892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 34--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT 
A COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP SHOULD BE ISSUED TO HONOR THE CREW OF THE 
       USS MASON DE-529 WHO FOUGHT AND SERVED DURING WORLD WAR II

  Mr. BURRIS submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs:

                            S. Con. Res. 34

       Whereas the USS Mason DE-529 was the only United States 
     Navy destroyer with a predominantly black enlisted crew 
     during World War II;
       Whereas the integration of the crew of the USS Mason DE-529 
     was the role model for racial integration on Navy vessels and 
     served as a beacon for desegregation in the Navy;
       Whereas the integration of the crew signified the first 
     time that black citizens of the United States were trained to 
     serve in ranks other than cooks and stewards;
       Whereas the USS Mason DE-529 served as a convoy escort in 
     the Atlantic and Mediterranean Theatres during World War II;

[[Page S7892]]

       Whereas, in September 1944, the crew of the USS Mason DE-
     529 helped save Convoy NY119, ushering the convoy to safety 
     despite a deadly storm in the Atlantic Ocean;
       Whereas, in 1998, the Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton 
     made an official decision to name an Arleigh Burke Class 
     Destroyer the USS Mason DDG-87 in order to honor the USS 
     Mason DE-529;
       Whereas, in 1994, President Clinton awarded the USS Mason 
     DE-529 a long-overdue commendation, presenting the award to 
     67 of the surviving crewmembers; and
       Whereas commemorative postage stamps have been issued to 
     honor important vessels, aircrafts, and battles in the 
     history of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the United States Postal Service should issue a postage 
     stamp honoring the crew of the USS Mason DE-529 who fought 
     and served during World War II; and
       (2) the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee should recommend 
     to the Postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.

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