[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21779]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK SUBLETT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor a true hero and patriot who 
passed away on Wednesday evening, September 27th. A pioneer for 
African-Americans everywhere, Frank Sublett was one of 13 men who broke 
the Navy's color barrier in 1944. Dubbed the ``Golden 13,'' these men 
bravely stood up in the face of racism in the Armed Forces and entered 
Naval Training Station Great Lakes, Illinois. In February 1944, Frank 
became one of the first 13 African-American commissioned naval 
officers. The Golden 13 scored higher on standard tests than their 
white counterparts and went on to serve with distinction and fight the 
Nazis in the Atlantic and the Japanese in the Pacific. Frank Sublett 
continued to serve until the war ended in 1945.
  When I first met Frank I was inspired by his story. And when I 
learned that he and other members of the World War II Black Navy 
Veterans were raising money to build a memorial honoring African-
American Navy veterans from World War II, I wanted to help. I am 
saddened that Frank Sublett will not be standing next to me when we 
dedicate the memorial in North Chicago on Veterans Day. I hope that 
this monument to the courage of Frank and his comrades in arms will 
inspire young people to dedicate themselves to public service, whether 
in the military or as a civilian.
  I want to offer my condolences to the Sublett family, especially to 
Frank's wife, Susan. Frank will be missed, but the memory of the Golden 
13 will live on.

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