[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17056]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           U.S. MARINE CORPS

  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of the U.S. Marine 
Corps as it celebrates 236 years of sacrifice and service to this great 
Nation. In the spirit of a true marine, ooo-rah and happy birthday. 
This week, it is fitting that our great and deliberate body, the 
Senate, passed a bill to honor and revere the Montford Point marines, 
the first African Americans to serve in our Corps. Last night, the 
Senate passed legislation to award the Montford Point marines the 
Congressional Gold Medal. I can think of no better way to honor these 
gentleman, most of whom are now in their nineties, for being a part of 
our Nation's history during a difficult time, both abroad and at home.
  In 1942, the U.S. Marine Corps opened its doors for African Americans 
to play a role in combat. Unfortunately, these men were not trained 
where marines before them had done so. Instead, from 1942 to 1949, the 
Corps trained Black marines at Montford Point Camp in North Carolina.
  Like true marines, even with segregated training, these men fought 
shoulder to shoulder next to every marine in World War II. Their 
actions were significant during our campaign in the Pacific. Their 
service to the Corps is now a significant thread in its history. The 
Marine Corps extols the virtues of courage, intelligence, integrity, 
and leadership. I am proud that the spirit of the Corps resonated in 
every one of these marines, even in a time of great inequality. In 
theater, a marine is a marine. We are brothers, regardless of color or 
creed. The duty every marine pledges to mission and man is equal. It is 
what makes our Corps the great fighting force that continues today.
  I applaud our Commandant, General Amos. Without his commitment to 
this initiative honoring the Montford Point marines, we may not have 
passed the bill so easily. I am very proud of my Corps, humbled by all 
the men and women who continue to join our Armed Forces, and to the 
Senate for finally recognizing these incredible veterans in the 
appropriate way.
  I am as proud of the Marine Corps today as ever. The Corps has 
dutifully accomplished exactly what the President and this Nation have 
asked of them over the past decade. Marines have turned the tide in 
Iraq and continue to wage ahead in Afghanistan. Marines continue to 
steer the course of how to succeed in land campaigns and remain always 
faithful, both to mission and fellow marine.
  Today, we celebrate the Marine Corps. Tomorrow, we celebrate all our 
warfighters, those men and women in uniform who have committed their 
time, and put their lives in harm's way, for the defense of the United 
States. Thank you to all those who have served. God bless all those 
currently deployed around the world. Semper Fi.

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