[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMENDING MONTFORD POINT MARINES AND SON OF CIVIL WAR VETERAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two American 
trailblazers from North Carolina's First Congressional District: 
Montford Marine veterans Johnny Thompskins and the recently deceased 
Joe Cobbs. I would also like to recognize the son of a Civil War 
veteran, Luke Martin, Jr.
  Mr. Speaker, Thompskins, Cobbs, and Martin will be honored by the 
Christian Community Charity Workers (CCCW) Inc., on June 24 at the 
Flame Banquet Center in New Bern, North Carolina.
  Mr. Speaker, recruiting for the ``Montford Marines'' began on June 1, 
1942, following public pressure on President Franklin D. Roosevelt by 
Black leaders to issue Executive Order 8802, which barred government 
agencies and federal contractors from employment discrimination on the 
basis of race, creed, color or national origin. The order also required 
all of the U.S. Armed Services, including the United States Marine 
Corps, to recruit and enlist African Americans. Despite an era thick 
with racial discrimination, Black recruits lined up by the thousands to 
defend the freedoms of people abroad, while still being denied basic 
unalienable rights at home.
  Among the inaugural class of Black Montford Marines were Johnny 
Thompskins and the late Joe Cobbs. Thompskins, a man of small stature 
but enormous courage; and Cobbs, who developed a strong work ethic 
while working his family's farmland, received basic training at the 
segregated Camp Montford Point in North Carolina because no Black 
recruit was allowed to enter the main base of nearby Camp Lejeune 
unless accompanied by a white Marine.
  Nevertheless, these two men were unafraid by the onslaught of World 
War II. They understood that victory in war was only achievable with 
the talent of its Black citizens. As a result, these men served their 
country with distinction, charted uncharted territory, and set the bar 
for exemplary African American servicemen.
  Mr. Speaker, on a similar note, at 94 years old, Luke Martin, Jr. is 
widely known around the state of North Carolina as one of a few living 
children of Civil War veterans. His father, Luke Martin, Sr. was a 
slave in Hertford County when he bravely joined the Union Army to fight 
for the freedoms of his loved ones.
  Due to his father's efforts to help gain civil rights for Blacks, 
Martin Jr. was able to become a distinguished mason who has earned 
enormous respect for building several structures across Craven County.
  Today, Thompskins and Martin both reside in New Bern. Cobbs also 
lived there until his passing in May.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire U.S. House of Representatives to join 
me in recognizing these men, who will forever remain a cornerstone in 
American history.

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