[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Later today the House will consider H.R. 2447, a bill 
awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines, 
the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps. 
The United States of America owes these heroes a debt of honor that we 
will endeavor to pay, in part, today. I rise in strong support of this 
measure.
  It was President Franklin Roosevelt who issued an Executive order in 
June of 1941 that opened the doors for African Americans to enlist in 
the United States Marine Corps. Between 1942 and 1949, approximately 
20,000 African Americans earned the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor at Camp 
Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina. And we'll honor them 
today.
  I especially want to commend the Montford Point Marines Indianapolis 
chapter's surviving marines. And since there are no ``former marines,'' 
allow me to commend Marine Averitte Corley, Johnny Washington, and 
Lancaster Price, along with the late Walter Ezzell and Everette Sweat, 
who have done yeoman's work in keeping the proud memory of the Montford 
Point Marines alive in the Hoosier State.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting tribute to the Montford 
Point Marines. It marks the service and sacrifice of these trailblazing 
heroes, but it also marks our Nation's mark toward a more perfect 
union, and I heartily endorse it.

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