E1060 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 24, 2018 the many contributions that local auxiliary It is my belief that the ‘‘Equality of Treatment Today, the United States Armed Forces en- posts make to our veterans, our community, and Opportunity; 9981’’ was compass four diverse and heterogeneous our state and our nation. an indelible demarcation in the ever-present branches of brave, selfless, and upstanding From drafting the original document that battle to eradicate within servicemen and women. Prior to this Execu- would later become the first GI Bill to the on- American society. Moreover, the Harry S. Tru- tive Order, African American members of the going ‘‘We Believe Campaign’’ highlighting the man Library and Museum will be hosting an military had different rules than other positive impacts that veterans make on their event on Thursday, to honor this servicemembers, which often delayed their communities, the American Legion continues groundbreaking step towards equality as well entry to combat. Although other its essential work to support our veterans and as ’s other efforts to expand rights for servicemembers could begin their combat their families for their service and sacrifices. African American citizens. As the U.S. Rep- training in the months following their initial Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring resentative of Missouri’s Fifth Congressional qualifications, most African Americans were Commander Rohan and the 2.3 million mem- District, it gives me great pride and joy to forced to wait four years to begin training. bers of the American Legion as they meet to praise both President Truman for his valiant Since the founding of our country, African convene their 100th national convention in the and just actions and the Truman Library for Americans and other individuals of color ac- place where it all started, Minneapolis, Min- hosting such a noteworthy event within my tively participated in the Armed Forces; how- nesota. district. ever, intentionally attempting to separate or f delay this participation was also a perpetual Born and raised in the state of Missouri, occurrence within the military. President Tru- IN RECOGNITION OF THE 70TH AN- President Truman was a man of remarkable man’s issuance of the Executive Order of NIVERSARY OF EXECUTIVE character and ambition. Although he was born 1948 was the directive that officially and com- ORDER 9981 TO DESEGREGATE less than twenty years after the abolishment of pletely abolished this practice. THE ARMED FORCES OF THE slavery, in a time immersed in significant racial Mr. Speaker, please join with me as we UNITED STATES ramifications, the former president advanced commemorate the 70th anniversary of Presi- civil rights in the United States. One prominent dent Harry S. Truman’s Executive Order 9981. HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER example of the trailblazing legacy President The courageous actions taken by President OF MISSOURI Truman left behind is the issuance of Execu- Truman to eliminate racial discrimination within tive Orders 9980 and 9981 to desegregate the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES America’s armed forces are a true display of Armed Forces and federal workforce. As an leadership and a legacy that will live on for Tuesday, July 24, 2018 individual who has actively sought to further generations to come. Furthermore, it is my Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in expand and build upon this legacy, it is truly hope that we will honor our only president recognition of the 70th anniversary of Presi- an honor to join the Truman Library in cele- from Missouri by continuing the effort to end dent Harry S. Truman’s commitment to deseg- brating the 70th anniversary of such an racial discrimination in American society once regate the Armed Forces of our great nation. impactful milestone. and for all.

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