[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE COLORADO SPRINGS BUFFALO SOLDIER COMMUNITY 
                                MEMORIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2016

  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the new 
Buffalo Soldier Community Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
   In 1866, Congress authorized the establishment of six all African-
American units: the 9th and 10th Cavalry and 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st 
Infantry Regiments--later reorganized as the 24th and 25th Infantry 
Regiments. These regiments were instrumental in the taming of the 
American West. Their primary missions were to protect settlers as they 
moved west as well as building the infrastructure necessary to support 
these new settlements. Unsurprisingly, these mandates were expanded 
upon meeting the realities of the frontier. These servicemen quickly 
found themselves assisting civil authorities in controlling mobs; 
pursuing outlaws and cattle thieves; providing protection for stage 
coaches; delivering the mail longer than the Pony Express; and serving 
as the first U.S. Border Patrol and National Park Rangers. One lesser 
known mission they completed was the mapping of the wilderness as the 
western development progressed.
   During their tenure in Colorado, members of the 9th and 10th Calvary 
and 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments were stationed at Fort Lyon and 
Fort Garland. These Buffalo Soldiers assisted civil authorities in 
peace-keeping efforts and participated in many important military 
conflicts in Colorado's territorial and early statehood history.
   Between 1867 and 1907, 23 Medals of Honor were awarded as well as 40 
Certificates of Merit for valor, endurance and courage. Buffalo 
Soldiers valiantly served during the Native American Wars, in the 
Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, the Mexican 
Expedition as well as World War I. Most impressively, these units had 
the lowest desertion rates in the Army.
   I want to commend the Colorado Springs Buffalo Soldier Memorial 
Committee on their years-long quest to establish this Memorial. It is 
fitting that it will be dedicated during this year's 150th Anniversary 
of the inception of these units.

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