IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 134 
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 16, 2017 
Mrs. BEATTY (for herself, Ms. KAPTUR, Ms. FUDGE, Mr. CONYERS, Ms. 
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. COHEN, Mr. RUSH, Mr. YAR-
MUTH, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. STIVERS, and Ms. ADAMS) 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 per-
sonal acts of valor in action above and beyond 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 Medal of Honor 
with just less than half being awarded for actions during 
the Civil War; 
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•HRES 134 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 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 Medal of 
Honor when, during the attack on Fort Wagner on July 
18, 1863, he risked his own life above and beyond the 
call of duty to save the American flag while under heavy 
fire and prevent its capture, despite being wounded sev-
eral times by Confederate fire; 
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 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 134 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 Medal of Honor for mili-
tary bravery, heroism, and valor. 
Æ 
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