July 26, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1515 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

TRIBUTE TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN guished generation in the history of African- Margaret Bailey, Edna Young Shannon, Dr. WORLD WAR II VETERANS ON American military service.'' As a group, he Olivia Hooker, Dr. Howard Mitchell, SSgt. THE 47TH ANNIVERSARY OF said they were protectors ``of a legacy older Robert Powell, John Silveria, Dr. John Garrett, PRESIDENT TRUMAN’S SIGNING than the Declaration of Independence; one World War II Heritage Commission, Commit- OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 that includes the legendary service of the tee for the Aviation Mural Project Success, Massachusetts 54th in our Civil War, the Buf- and Black Military History Institute of America. falo Soldiers in the West, the 92d Division in HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL Again, on behalf of a grateful nation, I speak OF NEW YORK World War I.'' for the Congressional Black Caucus in ex- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The President continued, ``For decades, Af- pressing our deep appreciation for the con- Wednesday, July 26, 1995 rican-American veterans were missing in our Nation's memories of World War II. For too tributions, dedication, commitment, and na- Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, July 26, 1995 long, you were soldiers in the shadows, forgot- tional service of the African-American men marks the 47th anniversary of President Harry ten heroes. Today it should be clear to all of and women who served in World War II. Their S. Truman's signing of Executive Order 9981, you, you are forgotten no more.'' job was done well, and will forever be remem- officially desegregating the U.S. military. I rise While African-American veterans fought and bered. to pay special tribute and to extend my pro- died under the stigma of segregation, one f found gratitude not only to President Truman thing is clear: their heroic contributions in but to the African-American men and women WWII marked the beginning of the end of seg- HONORING GILBERT RONSTADT who served in World War II and whose exem- regated America. The bottom line is that the plary service made the President's action all brilliance of their performance in the war but inevitable, as President Clinton reminded forced President Truman to sign Executive us in his courageous stand in defense of af- Order 9981, on July 26, 1948, ending the HON. ED PASTOR firmative action. The military institution that practice of segregation in the military. The per- OF ARIZONA grew out of that executive order became the formance of African-Americans in World War II model for the society as a whole. The U.S. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES sowed the seeds that ultimately forced the military is our finest example of equality, op- Federal Government to reexamine its policies portunity, upward mobility, and full inclusion in Wednesday, July 26, 1995 on race and stimulated African-Americans to our social institutions. Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, many knew Gil- As chairman of the Congressional Black greater activism in demanding their rights. bert Ronstadt only as Linda Rondstadt's fa- Caucus veterans braintrust and a Korean war The Presidential awards ceremony honored veteran, I want to express my sincere appre- outstanding World War II African-American ther. However, those who knew him well re- ciation for the dedication of those men and veterans associations, units, and individuals member him as a man who embodied the val- women who fought for democracy abroad who served with distinction, as well as histori- ues of love of country, family, and community. against the Nation's common enemy and re- cal organizations who continue to educate the Born in 1911, before Arizona had become a turned home to battle racism and discrimina- public on the role and contribution of African- State, Gilbert Rondstadt devoted his energies Americans in World War II. tion. During the war, this duality was signified to helping shape Tucson into the vibrant and Sixty awards were presented to the follow- by black troops as the double ``V'' campaign. expanding city it is today. As a young man, he ing honorees: Montford Point Marines Asso- Last year following the 50th anniversary entertained many in his native town with his commemoration of the Normandy invasion, I ciation, Prometheans, 715th Veterans Asso- ciation, U.S.S. Mason (DE 529) Association, wonderful voice by singing on the radio, in heard many complaints from African-American nightclubs and theater stages around town. veterans, including my constituents in New 366th Veterans Association, Black Women His love for mariachi music lived on in his York. In all of the pageantry, in all of the tele- Army Auxiliary Corp./Women Army Corp. & family and was later immortalized through his vision coverage, it seemed they had been left Women in the Services, 372nd Infantry Asso- daughter's now famous ``Canciones De Mi out. I took the matter up with President Clinton ciation, 758th/64th Armored Regiment Asso- and Secretary Jesse Brown. The result was ciation, 92nd Infantry Division Association, Padre'' album. President Clinton's participation in a Presi- 761st Tank Battalion & Allied Veterans Asso- After serving his country during World War dential tribute where he delivered a moving ciation, 366th Veterans Association, Tuskegee II, he returned to Tucson to head the family speech during the 24th Annual Congressional Airmen, Inc., World War II Black Veterans of hardware business. Throughout his life, his Black Caucus legislative weekend. The Presi- the Great Lakes, U.S. Coast Guard National family responsibilities always received a high dent's appearance was coordinated by the Association of Former Stewards & priority. Gilbert Rondstadt also showed a CBC veterans braintrust, as part of a special Stewardmates, Inc., 555th Parachute Infantry strong devotion for his community and its cul- Association, 369th Veterans Association, the tribute entitled ``D-Day and World War II Afri- tural heritage. He actively participated in the Golden Thirteen, the 5th Platoons and the can-American Veterans: The Forgotten Heroes development and revitalization of downtown and Heroines.'' Red Ball Express, Dr. Paul Parks, Sr., Wa- verly Woodson Jr., SSgt. Monroe Blackwell, Tucson and served on numerous boards, in- The tribute honored the 1 million African- cluding the Chamber of Commerce, the Tuc- American men and women in uniform during Willie Woods, Claude Owens, Rev. Elmer son Trade Bureau, and the Arizona State So- the war, including the nearly 750,000 who Fowler, Charity Adams-Earley, Dr. Martha ciety. He was also active in helping establish served overseas in Europe and the Pacific. Putney, Lt. Col. Julius Williams, Gladestone The President's decision to attend the veter- Dale, Dr. Leroy Ramsey, Donald Eaton, Jr., trade relations between Mexico and the United ans braintrust event was an honor that cannot Samuel Phillips, Alonzo Swann, Captain Hugh States. be ignored or forgotten. Mulzac (Posthumously), Leroy Colston, Major An unassuming and simple man, Gilbert The President was joined at the event by Nancy Leftentant-Colon, Clark Simmons, Dr. Rondstadt will be remembered in the commu- Secretary Jesse Brown, and CBC members: Robert Allen, Robert Routh, Lt. Col. Jesse nity for his selflessness, the longlasting impact SANFORD BISHOP, JR., BOBBY RUSH, MAXINE Johnson, Jacob Johnson III, Dr. Emerson of his work in the community, and his WATERS, CORRINE BROWN, JAMES CLYBURN, Emory, Dr. Charles Pinderhughes, Samuel farreaching pride in his culture and traditions. KWEISE MFUME, former Congressman Charles Mildrew, Captain David Williams, Sr., 1st Lt. He leaves behind a legacy of goodwill and in- Diggs, and was witnessed by a capacity audi- Prudence Burns Burrell, Lt. Col. Bradley spiration for those who choose the pillars of Biggs, Major Augustus Hamilton, John Carter, ence in the Ways and Means Committee service and family as their sources of happi- James Dockery, Dr. Howard Mitchell, Charles room. ness. I ask my colleagues to join me in honor- President Clinton described the African- Evers, Dr. Roscoe Brown, Percy Sutton, Daisy ing the memory of a great man. American World War II veterans as ``a distin- Winifred Byrd-Beldon, Jean Byrd Stewart, Col.

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