Supporting the goals and ideals of Black History Month and honoring the outstanding contributions of African-American Medal of Honor recipients.

Bill: 114-hres-610
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
Introduced: 2016-02-09
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Congressional tributes

Military history

Military personnel and dependents

Racial and ethnic relations

U.S. history

Veterans' organizations and recognition
Latest action: action_date: 2016-03-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-02-09
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Recognizes Black History Month as an important time to acknowledge and reflect on the significant contributions of African-Americans in the nation's history.</p> <p>Honors the contributions of African-American service members, including the 88 who have been awarded the Medal of Honor for military bravery, heroism, and valor.</p> <ul> </ul>

tv_txt: IV 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 610 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. Hastings , 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 ) 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 personal 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; 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 Massachusetts 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 awarded 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

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 Nation's history; and (2) honors the outstanding contributions of African-American servicemembers, including the 88 African-Americans who have been awarded the Medal of Honor for military bravery, heroism, and valor.