IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 610 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Black History Month and honoring the 

outstanding contributions of African-American Medal of Honor recipients. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 9, 2016 

Mrs. BEATTY (for herself, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, 

Mr. CLAY, Ms. ADAMS, Ms. NORTON, Ms. EDWARDS, Ms. LEE, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Ms. EDDIE

BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. MOORE, Mr. YARMUTH, Mr. RUSH, 

Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. ASHFORD, Ms. PLASKETT, Mr. 

MEEKS, Mr. CLEAVER, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. HINOJOSA, Ms. 

BROWN of Florida, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. 

COHEN, Mr. GRAYSON, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, Mr. 

JEFFRIES, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. HONDA, Mr. 

BLUMENAUER, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, and Mr. STIVERS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Armed Services 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of Black History Month 

and honoring the outstanding contributions of AfricanAmerican Medal of Honor recipients. 

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest award for personal acts of valor in action above the call of duty against 

an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual 

serving in the United States Armed Forces; 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 610 IH 

Whereas since its first presentation in 1863, 3,496 members 

of the United States Armed Forces have received the 

Medal of Honor with just less than half being awarded 

for actions during the Civil War; 

Whereas African-American servicemembers have played vital 

roles in military operations throughout the history of the 

Nation; 

Whereas 88 African-Americans have been awarded the Medal 

of Honor for military valor; 

Whereas William Harvey Carney, a member of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry’s C Company and the first 

African-American to earn the Medal of Honor after he 

risked his own life to save the American flag and return 

it from the front lines of battle, despite being wounded 

several times as Confederate troops charged; 

Whereas William Harvey Carney was not presented with the 

Medal of Honor until nearly 37 years after his acts of 

bravery; 

Whereas in 1993, a study commissioned by the United States 

Army described systematic racial discrimination in the 

criteria for awarding medals during World War II; 

Whereas after an exhaustive review, the study recommended 

seven African-American World War II veterans be awarded the Medal of Honor; and 

Whereas African-American men and women who today serve 

in the United States Armed Forces play a critical role in 

the defense and security of the Nation: Now, therefore, 

be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 610 IH 

1 (1) recognizes Black History Month as an im2 portant time to acknowledge and reflect on the sig3 nificant contributions of African-Americans in the 

4 Nation’s history; and 

5 (2) honors the outstanding contributions of Af6 rican-American servicemembers, including the 88 Af7 rican-Americans who have been awarded the Medal 

8 of Honor for military bravery, heroism, and valor. 

Æ 


smartinez on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS