[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E58-E59]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING MONTFORD POINT MARINE ROSCOE BROWN FOR HIS COURAGE, 
  TRAILBLAZING DETERMINATION, AND SELFLESS SERVICE TO OUR GREAT NATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 20, 2022

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of Roscoe Brown, a member of the Montford Point Marines, an elite team 
of men who bravely signed up to fight abroad for our nation's freedom 
even while they were being denied equal rights here at home. We will 
never forget his courage, trailblazing determination, and selfless 
service.
  In 2011 I co-sponsored H.R. 2477, a bill to grant the Congressional 
Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines. The legislation was approved 
by Congress and signed by President Obama. In November of 2012 a 
ceremony was held to present many of the Marines with their medals, 
however Mr. Brown was unable to attend. In April of 2013 my office 
secured the medal and at Mr. Brown's request, I presented the honor in 
a special ceremony at Bethesda World Harvest International Church in 
Buffalo, where Brown served as a Deacon.

[[Page E59]]

  During the struggle of World War 11, America called Mr. Brown and the 
Montford Point Marines to duty, and they answered with selfless service 
in defense of our freedoms. The 1941 Fair Employment Act prohibited 
racial discrimination by federal agencies; finally giving African-
Americans the right to enlist in the Marine Corps. However, like the 
rest of America at the time, military training facilities were 
segregated. Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina served 
as the training site for African-American men eager to serve in the 
Marines. Over a 7 year period beginning in 1942, approximately 20,000 
African Americans were trained at the Camp, many serving during World 
War II. In 1949 Montford Point Camp was deactivated and all recruits 
were trained side-by-side.
  The Public Affairs office of the United States Marine Corps added, 
``The sacrifice of these men paved the way for other minorities and all 
women to be integrated into the Marine Corps. By their sacrifice, MPM's 
engineered social and cultural change in the Marine Corps that created 
a lasting impact and has contributed to the success of the Marine Corps 
today.''
  Born in 1927 in Texas, Roscoe Brown came to Buffalo in 1944 and 
resided in Williamsville, New York. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 
July of 1945, was squad leader in boot camp and served as a personnel 
clerk in the United States Marine Corps before being honorably 
discharged on August 30, 1946.
  After his military service, Mr. Brown briefly worked for the United 
States Postal Service in Chicago before returning Western New York to 
work at the Bethlehem Steel plant, where he was employed for 33 years 
and rose to the rank of foreman. After retirement from the plant, Mr. 
Brown opened a Laundromat at 2116 Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo. He 
operated the small business, named ``Thrif-T-Wash,'' from 1983 to 2005.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by 
Congress. It is awarded to those who have performed an achievement that 
has impacted American history and culture. Others receiving the medal 
include, but are not limited to: George Washington in 1776, Rosa Parks 
in 1999, Pope John Paul II in 2000, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
and Coretta Scott King in 2004, the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006 and the 
Victims of 9/11 in 2011. Mr. Brown will always be remembered as a hero 
alongside others who have received this high honor.