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

IV 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 reso- lution; 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 be- yond 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:51 Feb 04, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR96.IH HR96 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 96 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 Con- gressional 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 be- yond 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 award- ed 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 (1) recognizes Black History Month as an im- 2 portant time to acknowledge and reflect on the sig- 3 nificant contributions of African Americans in the 4 history of the United States; and 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:51 Feb 04, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR96.IH HR96 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 3 •HRES 96 IH (2) honors the outstanding contributions of Af- 1 rican-American members of the United States 2 Armed Forces, including the 88 African Americans 3 who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of 4 Honor for military bravery, heroism, and valor. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:51 Feb 04, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR96.IH HR96 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS