Title: Supporting the goals and ideals of Black History Month and honoring the outstanding contributions of African-American Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Summary:
This resolution recognizes Black History Month as an important time to reflect on the significant contributions of African Americans in the history of the United States, including in the Armed Forces.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 96 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 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 Congressional Medal of 
                           Honor recipients.

Whereas the Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award for personal 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 Congressional Medal of Honor with just less than half 
        being awarded for actions during the Civil War;
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 Congressional 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 beyond 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 awarded 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 important time to 
        acknowledge and reflect on the significant contributions of 
        African Americans in the history of the United States; and
            (2) honors the outstanding contributions of African-
        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.
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