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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 185 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 185

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 24, 2009

 Mr. Castle 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 African-American Medal of Honor 
                              recipients.

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an 
        enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the 
        United States Armed Forces;
Whereas since its first presentation in 1863, 3,467 Medals of Honor have been 
        awarded to a total of 3,448 individuals (there have been 19 double 
        recipients);
Whereas African-American service members have played vital roles in military 
        operations throughout the history of our Nation;
Whereas 87 African-Americans have been awarded the Medal of Honor for military 
        valor;
Whereas William Harvey Carney was an American Civil War soldier 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 act 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;
Whereas, on January 13, 1997, President Bill Clinton awarded the medal to these 
        seven distinguished World War II veterans, at which time Vernon Joseph 
        Baker was the only living recipient;
Whereas Lieutenant Vernon Joseph Baker displayed great courage and valor through 
        his actions in 1945 near Viareggio, Italy, when he voluntarily led a 
        battalion advance through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the 
        division objective, risking his own life above and beyond the call of 
        duty; 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 our 
        Nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the significance of Black History Month as 
        an important time to recognize the contributions of African-
        Americans in our Nation's history; and
            (2) honors the outstanding contributions of African-
        American service members, including the 87 African-Americans 
        who have been awarded the Medal of Honor for military valor.
                                 <all>
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