[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 30, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5703-S5704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 577--COMMEMORATING THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF PATRIOTISM, 
    CONVICTION, AND COMPASSION LED BY CHAPLAIN HENRY VINTON PLUMMER

  Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 577

       Whereas Henry Vinton Plummer was born into slavery on July 
     31, 1844, in Prince George's County, Maryland and escaped 
     from slavery to serve honorably in the U.S. Navy during the 
     Civil War;
       Whereas Henry Plummer was assigned in 1864 to the Union 
     gunboat U.S.S. Coeur de Lion, which engaged numerous 
     Confederate ships trying to run Union blockades in the 
     Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries during the Civil War;
       Whereas after being honorably discharged from the Navy in 
     1865, Henry Plummer studied to become a minister, and felt 
     called to serve again in the United States military;
       Whereas in 1866, the 39th Congress passed legislation to 
     establish African-American military units and stipulated that 
     a chaplain be assigned to each regiment;
       Whereas in July 1884, Henry Plummer was appointed the first 
     African-American chaplain in the United States Regular Army 
     with a military rank equivalent of Captain;
       Whereas Chaplain Plummer served for more than 10 years with 
     the Ninth Cavalry and was stationed at Army forts in Kansas, 
     Wyoming, and Nebraska;
       Whereas during his time in uniform, Chaplain Plummer worked 
     to improve education and voter participation and reduce the 
     temptation of gambling, drunkenness, and prostitution among 
     soldiers under his ministry;
       Whereas Chaplain Plummer fought racism and other injustices 
     of the time while serving his country with the Ninth Calvary;
       Whereas Chaplain Plummer's records in Fort Riley and Fort 
     Robinson noted that he performed admirably in his work among 
     soldiers and in his efforts on behalf of their spiritual 
     well-being;
       Whereas Chaplain Plummer endured racial bias and animosity 
     throughout his time in uniform, including being denied 
     officer housing and being forced to live among enlisted 
     personnel despite holding the Army officer rank equivalent of 
     Captain;
       Whereas in 1894, Chaplain Plummer was court-martialed, 
     convicted, and dismissed from the Army under circumstances 
     tainted by racial and personal animus;
       Whereas the Army Board for Correction of Military Records 
     concluded that personal grudges and racial bias were driving 
     factors that led to Chaplain Plummer's court-martial;
       Whereas the Army Board for Correction of Military Records 
     noted evidence that shows Chaplain Plummer served his country 
     well and was a highly respected and admired officer;
       Whereas in 2005, the Army Board for Correction of Military 
     Records changed the status of Chaplain Plummer's military 
     discharge to ``honorable'';
       Whereas despite the unfair and racially charged atmosphere 
     that led to Chaplain Plummer's conviction and discharge, he 
     continued to ask for reinstatement in the military out of a 
     desire to serve his country;
       Whereas Chaplain Plummer was a devoted family man, 
     minister, veteran, and community leader committed to the 
     principles of liberty and opportunity for which the United 
     States stands; and
       Whereas Chaplain Plummer rose from the depths of slavery to 
     remarkable heights, and led a life of selfless contributions 
     to his country: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) celebrates the life and patriotism of Chaplain Henry 
     Vinton Plummer;
       (2) expresses its admiration for Chaplain Plummer for his 
     perseverance and resolve in the face of racial oppression in 
     the military history of the United States; and
       (3) congratulates Chaplain Plummer's extended family for 
     their work to commemorate his life of devotion to helping 
     others while overcoming tremendous adversity.

[[Page S5704]]



                          ____________________