[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17772]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTEGRATION OF THE UNITED 
                          STATES ARMED FORCES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, as a member of the 
Congressional Black Caucus I would like to honor the 60th anniversary 
of the integration of the United States Armed Forces, which began on 
July 26, 1948. When talking about an issue that happened in the past, 
we tend to think of it as something that happened overnight or that it 
was easy. Integrating the military was not at all easy, but it was a 
critical step to moving our nation forward in terms of civil rights.
  President Harry S Truman initiated the effort to integrate the Armed 
Forces at the request of many black civil rights leaders. Not too many 
people expected the President to embrace integration within the 
military. Truman was born in Missouri, and his opinion on the issue was 
that of any average Missourian of his time. However, as he learned 
about the atrocities that were being committed against blacks, 
especially against those that had served in World War II, he became 
much more committed to civil rights issues and integrating the 
military. Indeed, President Truman outlined in his administration's 
policies key civil rights efforts, including forming agencies to 
address voting rights and fair employment. The most progressive of his 
actions was the desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces, which was 
proposed by the President's Committee on Civil Rights.
  Support, however, did not come readily from Congress which was 
uninterested in civil rights issues. Indeed, the civil rights of 
Truman's priorities drew widespread criticism from Southern Democrats. 
Members of the military also were skeptical, with particular concern 
about legislation that would end racism overnight rather than more 
gradually. The argument offered by opponents was that, if blacks were 
allowed to be integrated into the Armed Forces, many whites would not 
want to join. Proponents of integration countered that the Federal 
government must take a leadership role in integrating; if Congress did 
not integrate Federal jobs, the private sector would definitely avoid 
doing so. To achieve advances in civil rights, Truman appointed The 
President's Committee on Civil Rights, which was charged to determine 
how to strengthen and improve Federal, State, and local laws to 
safeguard civil rights. The Committee identified multiple policies for 
Congressional action; however, Truman asserted that civil rights in the 
services fell under executive purview. On July 26, 1948, Truman signed 
Executive Order 9981 which mandated equal treatment and opportunity for 
black members in the Armed Forces. In the end, it was through the 
commitment and persistence of various leaders that we have an 
integrated military.
  The world would be a different place today if such proposals were not 
made against the status quo. The integration of the Armed Forces served 
as an instrument of social change. As we see from the civil rights 
movement, sometimes the best choices require going against the 
majority. So, tip my hat to the many leaders who made the integration 
of the military a reality, and I celebrate this integration on the 
occasion of the 60th anniversary of its enactment.

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