[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E89]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            BUFFALO SOLDIERS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS STUDY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 24, 2012

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 1022, ``Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act.'' This 
bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study alternatives for 
the commemoration and interpretation of the role of the Buffalo 
Soldiers in the early years of the national parks.
  America's national parks are a treasure of nature's magnificent 
wonders--84 million acres of the most stunning landscapes anyone has 
ever seen. The story of the national parks is the story of people from 
every conceivable background who were willing to devote themselves to 
saving a portion of the land they loved. Among them were Buffalo 
Soldiers.
  Our country began the arduous task of rebuilding itself after a 
brutal civil war. In this war former slaves fought in Union regiments 
to pursue the ultimate goal to end slavery. These Black soldiers were 
later used in 1866, when Congress created six segregated regiments that 
ultimately became four black regiments that later became known as the 
original Buffalo Soldiers. Because of prevailing attitudes following 
the Civil War, these soldiers could only serve west of the Mississippi 
River. Their main charge was to protect settlers as they moved west and 
to support building the infrastructure needed for new settlements to 
flourish.
  Buffalo Soldiers conducted campaigns against American Indian tribes 
on a western frontier that extended from Montana in the northwest to 
Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in the southwest. They engaged in 
several clashes against such great Indian Chiefs as Victorio, Geronimo, 
and Nana.
  ``Buffalo Soldiers'' was the name given the black cavalrymen by the 
Plains Indians. Reason for the name is uncertain. One view is that the 
Indians saw a resemblance between the black man's hair and the mane of 
a buffalo. Another view is that when a buffalo was wounded or cornered, 
it fought ferociously, displaying unusual stamina and courage. This was 
the same fighting spirit Indians saw in combat with black cavalrymen. 
Since Indians held the buffalo in such high regard, it was felt that 
the name was not given in contempt.
  Those Buffalo Soldiers not only fought in conflicts along the western 
frontier, but they were indispensible in the treacherous and desolate 
trails of the Wild West. They helped protect and build up our new 
country as it expanded west. They built roads. They protected new 
territories where they escorted settlers, cattle herds, and railroad 
crews, while battling Mexican revolutionaries, outlaws, rustlers and 
hostile Native American tribes. The Buffalo Soldiers were the 
protectors of the western frontier.
  Buffalo Soldiers played a central role in protecting national parks--
Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. They were, in fact, 
our national parks' first ``guardians.'' These Soldiers kept the park 
free from poachers and from the ranchers whose grazing sheep destroyed 
the parks' natural habitats. They built roads, including the first 
wagon road into the Giant Forest of Sequoia.
  At a time when most of the country would not recognize their 
humanity, these brave patriots stood up to fight and protect a country 
that was just as much theirs as any other American. And I think it is 
fitting and symbolic that at a time when our Nation was rebuilding 
itself after being torn apart, it was former slaves and children of 
former slaves--Buffalo Soldiers--that rebuilt and protected our new and 
expanding country.
  As our country progresses, there will continue to be sites of 
historic and cultural significance that need to be added to the 
national park system. Commemorating and interpreting the role of the 
Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the national parks will ensure 
the historical contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers will always be 
remembered. Celebrating the role of Buffalo Soldiers serves to 
interpret, articulate, collect, display and preserve historical 
artifacts, documents, and other historical memorabilia relating to 
these brave men.
  It is America's mandate to acknowledge and reflect America's diverse 
stories. The story of Buffalo Soldiers is an underrepresented cultural 
theme in our national parks. Commemorating Buffalo Soldiers in the 
history of the nation's national parks is a step in the right 
direction. It reflects our cultural heritage and ensures their stories 
are told for our children and grandchildren to enjoy throughout 
posterity.
  At this time I would also like to take a moment to thank a special 
Legislative Fellow in my office, Byron McKie. He has been working 
diligently to enhance the opportunities of children through STEM 
education.

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