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. HAS-
TINGS, 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) sub-
mitted 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 per-
sonal 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; 
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•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 Mas-
sachusetts 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 award-
ed 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 610 IH 
(1) recognizes Black History Month as an im-
portant time to acknowledge and reflect on the sig-
nificant contributions of African-Americans in the 
Nation’s history; and 
(2) honors the outstanding contributions of Af-
rican-American servicemembers, including the 88 Af-
rican-Americans who have been awarded the Medal 
of Honor for military bravery, heroism, and valor. 
Æ 
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