[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES

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                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2012

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of the Montford Point 
Marines and the sacrifices they made in service to our Nation.
  The Montford Point Marines were 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 can never be repaid.
  In June of 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive 
Order 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 right to call themselves Marines at Camp 
Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Today, we honor them.
  I would especially like to recognize a few of the surviving members 
of the Florida Chapter of the Montford Point Marines. I would like to 
commend Marines Wilfred Carr of Palm Coast; Eli Graham, Jr. of Daytona 
Beach; James Huger of Daytona Beach; James Sharpe of Palm Coast; Robert 
Blanks of Orange City; and John Steele of Daytona Beach who have all 
helped keep the memory and service of the Montford Point Marine's alive 
in the State of Florida.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting tribute to the Montford 
Point Marines. It not only serves as an appropriate tribute to these 
trailblazing heroes, but also marks our Nation's endeavor toward a more 
perfect union, and I am pleased to offer my support.

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