[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 122 (Wednesday, July 16, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H3330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING EXONERATION OF PORT CHICAGO 50

  (Mr. DeSAULNIER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago tomorrow, our community in 
the bay area and the country rejoiced as the Port Chicago 50 were 
finally exonerated 80 years after the explosion that changed the course 
of their lives and American history.
  On July 17, 1944, an explosion rang out at the shipyard at the Port 
Chicago Naval Magazine in California, killing or wounding 710 people, 
predominantly African Americans in the Navy, which was segregated at 
that time.
  Mr. Speaker, 50 of the enlisted survivors who refused to return to 
the same unsafe working conditions that led to the explosion were 
indicted, defended by Thurgood Marshall, and convicted of mutiny.
  After decades of advocacy from community veterans groups, civil 
rights groups, and more, last year, the Port Chicago 50 were finally 
exonerated by President Biden and the Navy.
  While this action does not erase the historical injustice that they 
suffered, it does correct the record and recognizes them as the heroes 
that they were.
  I am very proud to have been part of this endeavor to exonerate these 
innocent, brave American sailors.

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