[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 TO 
           DESEGREGATE THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2018

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 70th 
anniversary of President Harry S. Truman's commitment to desegregate 
the Armed Forces of our great nation. It is my belief that the 
``Equality of Treatment and Opportunity; Executive Order 9981'' was an 
indelible demarcation in the ever-present battle to eradicate racial 
discrimination within American society. Moreover, the Harry S. Truman 
Library and Museum will be hosting an event on Thursday, July 26 to 
honor this groundbreaking step towards equality as well as Truman's 
other efforts to expand rights for African American citizens. As the 
U.S. Representative of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, it 
gives me great pride and joy to praise both President Truman for his 
valiant and just actions and the Truman Library for hosting such a 
noteworthy event within my district.
  Born and raised in the state of Missouri, President Truman was a man 
of remarkable character and ambition. Although he was born less than 
twenty years after the abolishment of slavery, in a time immersed in 
significant racial ramifications, the former president advanced civil 
rights in the United States. One prominent example of the trailblazing 
legacy President Truman left behind is the issuance of Executive Orders 
9980 and 9981 to desegregate the Armed Forces and federal workforce. As 
an individual who has actively sought to further expand and build upon 
this legacy, it is truly an honor to join the Truman Library in 
celebrating the 70th anniversary of such an impactful milestone.
  Today, the United States Armed Forces encompass four diverse and 
heterogeneous branches of brave, selfless, and upstanding servicemen 
and women. Prior to this Executive Order, African American members of 
the military had different rules than other servicemembers, which often 
delayed their entry to combat. Although other servicemembers could 
begin their combat training in the months following their initial 
qualifications, most African Americans were forced to wait four years 
to begin training.
  Since the founding of our country, African Americans and other 
individuals of color actively participated in the Armed Forces; 
however, intentionally attempting to separate or delay this 
participation was also a perpetual occurrence within the military. 
President Truman's issuance of the Executive Order of 1948 was the 
directive that officially and completely abolished this practice.
  Mr. Speaker, please join with me as we commemorate the 70th 
anniversary of President Harry S. Truman's Executive Order 9981. The 
courageous actions taken by President Truman to eliminate racial 
discrimination within America's armed forces are a true display of 
leadership and a legacy that will live on for generations to come. 
Furthermore, it is my hope that we will honor our only president from 
Missouri by continuing the effort to end racial discrimination in 
American society once and for all.