[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15624]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTEGRATION OF THE U.S. ARMED 
                                 FORCES

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 94 submitted 
earlier today by Senator Brown.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 94) recognizing the 
     60th anniversary of the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the 
motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening 
action or debate, and that any statements relating to the measure be 
printed in the Record at the appropriate place, as if read.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 94) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 94

       Whereas service members representing a wide diversity of 
     races and nationalities have fought in every war in the 
     history of the United States;
       Whereas, on July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed 
     Executive Order 9981, ordering the racial integration of the 
     Armed Forces;
       Whereas President Truman declared that there should be 
     equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the 
     Armed Forces, without regard to race, color, religion, or 
     national origin;
       Whereas the United States could not maintain an all-
     volunteer force without the service of, and critical role 
     played by, service members representing a wide diversity of 
     races and nationalities;
       Whereas service member diversity brings a unique 
     perspective and experience to the Armed Forces;
       Whereas the Armed Forces led the way in social integration 
     prior to the signal achievement of the legal victory in the 
     Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education, 347 
     U.S. 483 (1954), which rejected separate white and colored 
     schools;
       Whereas the Armed Forces led the way in social integration 
     prior to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which 
     banned discrimination in employment practices and public 
     accommodations, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which restored 
     and protected voting rights, and the Civil Rights Act of 
     1968, which banned discrimination in the sale or rental of 
     housing;
       Whereas the integration of the Armed Forces enhanced the 
     combat effectiveness of the military 60 years ago, and that 
     still holds true to the current day;
       Whereas the efforts of the Armed Forces to ensure equality 
     of treatment and opportunity for their personnel 
     significantly assisted in the advancement of that goal for 
     all Americans; and
       Whereas, in 2008, members representing a wide diversity of 
     races and nationalities serve in senior leadership positions 
     throughout the Armed Forces, as commissioned and warrant 
     officers, as senior noncommissioned officers, and as civilian 
     leaders: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 60th 
     anniversary of the integration of the Armed Forces of the 
     United States;
       (2) reaffirms the commitment of the Federal Government to 
     ensuring diversity in the military; and
       (3) commends African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, 
     Native Americans, and service members of all races and 
     nationalities for their remarkable achievements, sacrifices, 
     and contributions to our Armed Forces in all conflicts in 
     United States history in the face of discrimination, 
     hostility, and other obstacles.

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