Date: 2011-10-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina and the gentleman from Missouri for their courtesies. This is an emotional time for all of us. As we pay tribute to the Montford Point Marines. we must pay tribute to Congresswoman CORRINE BROWN. We thank you. first of all. for restoring our faith in this country and showing us that we can work together as Members of Congress. To be able to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on the Montford Point Marines is something that we would want to be the first legislation of this week. It awards the gold medal to the first African American marines at Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville. North Carolina. Then. of course. it acknowledges their personal sacrifice and their service to the country. My fatherinlaw was a Tuskegee Airman. It took so long to be able to honor them. And as we begin to build this country on a more solid ground. it is important to acknowledge the first African American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Sergeant William Harvey Carney. He received it during the Civil War. Then. of course. at its inception. the Marine Corps refused to recruit African Americans from 1775 until 1942. But immediately after the racial restrictions were lifted. nearly 20.000 African Americans signed up to become marines and began their basic training at the segregated Camp Montford Point during World War II until 1949. Yet they were still faced with segregation and racism. We all know that the Marines are the first in. and as the Marines are the first in. then others follow. Theyre well known for taking the bullet first. in many instances. as they work with other members of the United States military. So today it is more than appropriate. Mr. Speaker. to be able to honor these fine heroic individuals. I salute them. I thank God that we have the opportunity to honor them at this time. It is great that America can unite together and go forward under a unity of understanding the dignity of all people. Thank you. Montford Point Marines. It is an honor to support the Congressional Gold Medal being awarded to them. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 2447. "To Grant the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines." which awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the first African American Marines at Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville. North Carolina. in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service to their country. African Americans have a long and proud history of serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Since the founding of our fine nation. African Americans have fought to protect our nation. The first African American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor was Sergeant William Harvey Carney. He achieved this honor for his heroism during the Civil War. Although Sergeant Carney received our nations highest military honor he would not have been allowed to join the Marines. The measure before us today honors the African American tradition of service and recognizes how far we have come as a society. From its inception in 1775 until 1942. the Marine Corps refused to recruit African Americans. On June 25. 1941. against heated objections from the Marine Corps leadership. President Roosevelt issued Executive Order No. 8802 to establish fair employment practices which ended racial discrimination in the military. President Roosevelt recognized the need for social change in the armed services. African Americans. who were long denied access to the Marines. now had the opportunity to become Marines. Immediately after the racial restrictions were lifted. nearly 20.000 African Americans signed up to become Marines and began their basic training at the segregated Camp Montford Point during World War II until 1949. Yet. African American Marines still faced the challenges of segregation and racism. Railroad tracks divided White Marines at Camp Lejeune from Camp Montford Point. African American Marines could only enter Camp Lejeune if accompanied by a White Marine. Even under these conditions African Americans persevered. completed training and fought to protect our country. By 1945 all drill instructors and officers at Montford Point were African Americans. In the same year. Frederick Branch became the first African American Marine to be commissioned as a second lieutenant. Marines from Montford Point landed at Iwo Jima on DDay. and engaged in combat in Okinawa. The largest number of AfricanAmerican Marines to serve in combat during World War II took part in the seizure of Okinawa in the Ryuku Islands with some 2.000 AfricanAmerican Marines seeing action during the campaign. Overall. 19.168 AfricanAmericans served in the Marine Corps in World War II. In 1949 Camp Montford Point was deactivated and new African American recruits were sent to Paris Island in South Carolina and Camp Pendleton in California. In less than five years. the African American men who served at Camp Montford Point forever changed U.S. history. We should all celebrate the legacy these heroes have given us. We celebrate this legacy with pride and are optimistic that our children and their grandchildren will forever remember those who have made this country what it is today. The combat services of the Montford Point Marines certainly advanced the cause of civil rights. These African American men fought fiercely and with honor. Their actions in combat had a strong impact on President Trumans decision to order the desegregation of the Armed Forces in 1948. We have a duty to recognize Americans who have endured tremendous odds. Let these Marines remind us of a yesterday of segregation and inequality. Also. let them remind us that. as Americans. we are one in service and patriotism to our great nation. I stand with my colleagues in support of this recognition of the history of such a prestigious group of menthe first African American Marines of Montford Point.