A joint resolution honoring the contribution of blacks to American independence.
PL 98-245 (H.J.Res.454), enacted 03/27/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-245—MAR. 27, 1984 
98 STAT. I l l 
Public Law 98-245 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Honoring the contribution of blacks to American independence. 
Whereas, from 1776 to 1783, more than five thousand black men 
participated in the American Revolution as members of the Conti-
nental Army, and State and local militias; and 
Whereas blacks participated in every major battle of the Revolution, 
including Monmouth and Yorktown and were encamped with 
Washington at Valley Forge; and 
Whereas many blacks distinguished themselves in battle with acts 
of heroism that were well-noted at the time, some were praised by 
their officers and a few honored or rewarded by State legislatures; 
and 
Whereas a large proportion of black recruits were inhabitants of the 
original thirteen colonies; and 
Whereas black soldiers participated in integrated fighting units and 
performed a wide array of duties requiring bravery and skill; and 
Whereas many blacks who participated in the Revolution are 
unknown soldiers, who used assumed names or were identified on 
muster rolls only by race and therefore their descendants will 
never know of the specific contributions they made to the cause of 
independence; and 
Whereas, despite efforts by the Continental Congress and various 
States to exclude them up until 1778, blacks continued to enlist as 
substitutes until laws barring their participation in the war were 
removed, and free blacks of Massachusetts personally protested to 
General Washington about their initial exclusion from service; 
and 
Whereas the Congress has never officially recognized the contribu-
tions of free blacks and slaves to the struggle for American liberty 
and independence: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled. That— 
(1) the Congress extends thanks to the descendants of free 
blacks and slaves who participated in the Revolution and 
acknowledges the contributions of these courageous men and 
women who, in aspiring to freedom, helped bring about Ameri-
can independence and set in motion events that contributed to 
the attainment of equal rights for blacks, particularly in recent 
decades; 
(2) the Congress encourages the Federal Government, State 
and local governments and private organizations, particularly 
those hereditary organizations that honor Revolutionary War 
patriots to conduct appropriate activities during Black History 
Month 1985 in honor of black involvement in the Revolution; 
Mar. 27, 1984 
[H.J. Res. 454] 
98 STAT. 112 
PUBLIC LAW 98-245—MAR. 27, 1984 
Plaques and 
markers. 
(3) the Congress encourages State legislatures and city coun-
cils, especially those located in jurisdictions that provided black 
soldiers to the Continental Army and to State and local militias, 
and in jurisdictions where battles occurred, to issue proclama-
tions acknowledging black contributions to the cause of free-
dom; and 
(4) the Congress encourages the placement of plaques and 
markers in appropriate places, at Valley Forge and elsewhere, 
in commemoration of black involvement and heroism in the 
battles of the Revolution. 
Approved March 27, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 454: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
Feb. 29, considered and passed House. 
Mar. 12, considered and passed Senate.