IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 96 
Supporting the goals and ideals of Black History Month and honoring the 
outstanding contributions of African-American Congressional Medal of 
Honor recipients. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 4, 2019 
Mrs. BEATTY (for herself, Mr. BROWN of Maryland, Ms. CLARKE of New 
York, Mr. COHEN, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. 
JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. RUSH, Mr. STIVERS, Mr. SOTO, Mr. TAKANO, 
Mr. VELA, Mrs. LURIA, and Mr. YARMUTH) submitted the following reso-
lution; 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 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. 
Whereas the Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest 
award for personal acts of valor in action above and be-
yond the call of duty 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, 3,515 members 
of the Armed Forces have received the Congressional 
Medal of Honor with just less than half being awarded 
for actions during the Civil War; 
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•HRES 96 IH 
Whereas African-American members of the Armed Forces 
have played vital roles in military operations throughout 
the history of the United States; 
Whereas 88 African Americans have been awarded the Con-
gressional Medal of Honor for military valor; 
Whereas Sergeant William Harvey Carney, a member of 
Company C of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry, 
was the first African American to earn the Congressional 
Medal of Honor when, during the attack on Fort Wagner 
on July 18, 1863, he risked his own life above and be-
yond the call of duty to save the American flag while 
under heavy fire and prevent its capture, despite being 
wounded several times by Confederate fire; 
Whereas William Harvey Carney was not presented with the 
Congressional 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 award-
ed the Congressional Medal of Honor; and 
Whereas African-American men and women who today serve 
in the Armed Forces play a critical role in the defense 
and security of the United States: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes Black History Month as an im-
portant time to acknowledge and reflect on the sig-
nificant contributions of African Americans in the 
history of the United States; and 
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•HRES 96 IH 
(2) honors the outstanding contributions of Af-
rican-American members of the United States 
Armed Forces, including the 88 African Americans 
who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of 
Honor for military bravery, heroism, and valor. 
Æ 
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