[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13781-13783]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL TO COMMEMORATE 60TH 
    ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTEGRATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 377) authorizing 
the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony commemorating the 
60th Anniversary of the beginning of the integration of the United 
States Armed Forces, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 377

       Whereas African American men and women have served with 
     distinction, courage, and honor in the United States Armed 
     Forces throughout the history of the nation, even when they 
     were denied the basic constitutional freedoms promised to all 
     citizens;
       Whereas the practice of racial segregation and 
     discrimination in the military prevented African Americans 
     from receiving the full recognition to which they were 
     entitled as a result of their service;
       Whereas African Americans, in leading the effort to protest 
     discriminatory treatment in the armed forces, paved the way 
     for successful integration of women, Asians, Hispanics, and 
     other ethnic minorities;
       Whereas the dedicated and heroic service of African 
     American men and women during World War II led to President 
     Truman's historic executive order 60 years ago that marked 
     the beginning of racial integration in the United States 
     Armed Forces;
       Whereas as a result of President Truman's action, the 
     United States Armed Forces has become one of the nation's 
     best examples of an institution committed to equality, 
     opportunity, and advancement based on merit rather than race, 
     religion, or ethnicity; and
       Whereas the heroic contributions of each member of the 
     United States Armed Forces should be honored and celebrated: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

[[Page 13782]]



     SECTION 1. USE OF ROTUNDA FOR CEREMONY COMMEMORATING 60TH 
                   ANNIVERSARY OF INTEGRATION OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) Use of Rotunda.--The rotunda of the Capitol is 
     authorized to be used on July 23, 2008, for a ceremony 
     commemorating the 60th anniversary of President Truman's 
     Executive Order No. 9981, which states, ``It is hereby 
     declared to be the policy of the President that there shall 
     be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in 
     the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or 
     national origin.''.
       (b) Preparations.--Physical preparations for the ceremony 
     referred to in subsection (a) shall be carried out in 
     accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the 
     Capitol may prescribe.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel 
E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 377.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this concurrent resolution provides for the use of the 
Capitol rotunda to mark the 60th anniversary of the integration of the 
United States Armed Forces. I support the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, 60 years ago, President Harry Truman issued Executive 
Order 9981, which established the President's Committee on Equality of 
Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Forces. Determined to end 
segregation in the Armed Forces, President Truman issued this historic 
directive to end discrimination experienced by African American 
soldiers.
  Executive Order 9981 was successful in ending racial segregation in 
the military and its effect is long-standing. As a result of the 
directive, segregation based on creed, gender, and national origin was 
also abolished. It is important we recognize such an historic victory 
for civil rights and for our Armed Forces.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, while we wait to find out what we are going to do 
tomorrow and whether there will be a real energy bill presented to this 
floor, or some more energy fluff, I do rise today in support of H. Con. 
Res. 377 which would authorize use of the rotunda of the Capitol to 
commemorate the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the integration of 
the United States Armed Forces.
  On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, 
which provided for the equal treatment of blacks serving in the 
military. We should remember that previous attempts had been made to 
integrate the Armed Forces. In fact, during our Revolutionary War, 
approximately 5,000 African Americans served in integrated units. They 
served in many different capacities, including as artillerymen 
infantrymen, laborers, and even entertainers. Each served our Nation 
proudly, protecting the freedoms that they themselves had not yet come 
to know.
  With a new century, though, came political realities that would once 
again segregated the military. Nearly 50 years passed until once again 
blacks and whites were able to stand shoulder to shoulder, as a unit 
defined not by color, but by a commitment to freedom and love of 
country. President Truman's executive order to integrate the military 
also laid the groundwork for other minorities to gain those same 
rights, paving the way for the diverse group of men and women of all 
backgrounds who today serve in our military.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 377, so we 
may mark the historic occasion of the integration of our Nation's Armed 
Forces with a ceremony here in our Nation's capital at the Capitol 
rotunda in a manner that would truly honor the sacrifice that men and 
women of all backgrounds have made to our Nation throughout history.
  As I understand the gentlelady has no further speakers, I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, 
and I just urge that Members support H. Con. Res. 377 which provides 
for use of the Capitol rotunda marking the 60th anniversary of the 
integration of the United States Armed Forces.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
377 to authorize the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony 
commemorating the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the integration 
of the United States Armed Forces. The historic document that began the 
process of integration was Executive Order 9981 issued by President 
Harry S. Truman, my fellow Missourian.
  History has well documented that President Truman was a man of great 
principle and courage. He was by all accounts a man that did not shrink 
from responsibility even when the decisions were very difficult. The 
employment of atomic weapons at the end of World War II, the Berlin 
airlift at the beginning of the cold war, and the Korean war are but 
few examples of his leadership during crisis.
  However, I believe it is his decision to declare that each person in 
the military is deserving of equal treatment and opportunity, 
regardless of race, color, religion, and national origin that most 
reflects his personal commitment to his core beliefs.
  His July 26, 1948 Executive order was no weak-kneed statement 
designed to fit the political expediency of the era. Executive Order 
9981 was a bold statement that reflected his heartfelt commitment to 
the civil rights of all Americans and the American style of freedom 
that became a beacon of hope for so many people throughout the world 
during World War II. This powerful statement of equality in treatment 
and opportunity reflects the highest standards of democracy and lived 
up to the American spirit that we all cherish.
  President Truman saw much in the professional and heroic performance 
of African Americans during World War II that demanded he issue his 
Executive order. The exploits of African Americans that carried out the 
Red Ball Express, flew with the 99th fighter squadron, and served as 
Tuskegee Airmen are legendary. There were also stories of the many 
individual heroes during World War II like the seven African Americans 
who were finally awarded the Medal of Honor for their long-overlooked 
World War II heroism in 1997. Like all the other wars that preceded 
World War II, African Americans had played an important role during war 
and Harry Truman was determined to set the record straight.
  The 60th anniversary of President Truman's Executive order to begin 
the integration of the Armed Forces is a pivotal event in United States 
history that is deserving of a ceremony in the rotunda of the Capitol. 
I thank Chairman Brady and the staff of the House Administration 
Committee for helping to move this resolution so expeditiously and I 
strongly encourage my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 377.
  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
this resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Rotunda for a 
ceremony commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the beginning of the 
integration of the United States Armed Forces.
  And I thank the distinguish Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, 
Mr. Skelton, for bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Throughout the course of our Nation's history, the men and women of 
our Armed Services have defended our liberties with bravery, honor, and 
sacrifice. But because our Nation racially segregated its military 
prior to 1948, generations of African Americans served our Nation with 
the knowledge that they were fighting abroad for the very freedoms that 
were frequently denied to them at home. Despite this injustice, not 
only did African Americans serve honorably to fight for all our 
freedoms, they did so with the dignity and bravery that earned many of 
them our Nation's top military honors.
  Of the many units to serve with distinction, I particularly want to 
recognize the Tuskegee Airmen that organized at Moton Field in 
Tuskegee, Alabama, many of whom I would hope could be a part of this 
ceremony in the Rotunda. Over the course of World War II, the Tuskegee 
Airmen became one of the most highly decorated units in the Armed 
Forces. These brave pilots destroyed more than 1,000 German aircraft 
while accumulating an unprecedented record of flying more than 200 
bomber escort missions over central and southern Europe without the 
loss of a single bomber to enemy aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen returned

[[Page 13783]]

home with some of our Nation's highest military honors including 150 
Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, 8 Purple Hearts, and 14 
Bronze Stars. But they also returned home to a racially segregated 
America.
  One of the many important milestones toward achieving an integrated 
America occurred on July 26, 1948 when President Harry Truman signed 
Executive Order 9981. This important order, which will be recognized 
under this resolution, ordered there be equality of treatment with all 
persons in the Armed Services without regard to race, color, religion, 
or national origin. Even though it took many years to accomplish the 
complete integration of the Armed Services, it was Executive Order 9981 
that began the process and it is that event, among others, that I hope 
we will honor in the Capitol Rotunda next month.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to bring the attention of this House 
to House Concurrent Resolution 297, a resolution I introduced with my 
friend and colleague Mr. Meek of Florida on February 14 of this year. 
This resolution also recognizes the 60th anniversary of the beginning 
of the integration of the United States Armed Forces. I look forward to 
the consideration of this or any other similar resolution honoring this 
important event in our history.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 377, as 
amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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