July 22, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1491 Navy Cross. His medal came nearly a half- Mississippi Black Civil War soldiers; (c) a HOMEPORTING OF THE USS century after he and his African American monument/memorial is being planned to honor ‘‘RONALD REAGAN’’ shipmates in Intrepid’s Gun Tub #10 shot the Seminole Negro Indian Scouts and their down a Japanese kamikaze plane. However, families; (d) a US Colored Troops USCT HON. DARRELL E. ISSA his odyssey began October 27, 1944, when plaque dedication is being planned for Ander- OF CALIFORNIA the captain of the Intrepid, Joseph Bolfger, sonville National Historic Site in southwest IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES recommended all seven survivors for the Navy Georgia; and finally planning is underway for Thursday, July 22, 2004 Cross, just short of the Medal of Honor, the the North Chicago Memorial Park/Monument Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on the nation’s highest award and conducted meri- dedicated to the 100,000 men who went eve of the home porting ceremony of the USS torious mast on board the ship for the men. through the Great Lakes Naval Training Cen- Ronald Reagan, to welcome America’s newest Yet, when the commendations were sent on to ter during World War II. Washington, they came back, with the men Aircraft Carrier and its crew to San Diego. Later that evening we gathered drenching The USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76, our na- being given only Bronze Stars, or lower med- ourselves in the richness of Black history and tion’s ninth Nimitz class carrier, is the world’s als with no apparent explanation for the feeling mixtures of both pride and pain as we most advanced and most capable carrier ever change. built. The USS Reagan, along with its crew of Notwithstanding Swann’s long, arduous and awarded, or publicly recognized, acknowl- 6,000 and its commanding officer Captain lonely court battle to receive the belated edged and meaningfully remembered those who fought for people they had never even James A. Symonds, will give America greater honor, it wasn’t until 1997 that another of his capabilities to address threats to the safety of shipmates Navy Petty Officer Robert Jones, met. Something quite austere happened at the gala reception and award ceremony, which Americans and international peace and sta- by then 71, and a resident of Newport News, bility than ever before. Virginia received his Navy Cross, again more prompted many to say, ‘I thought we did ther- apy that night,’ and left others crying and emo- For most of the world’s history, the oceans than 50 years afterward in a stately ceremony have been a dangerous and lawless place. held at the Capitol Building in Washington, tional. We have given these awards annually over the course of the past ten years. This For over 60 years, however, America’s Navy DC, hosted by Congressman ROBERT ‘‘BOBBY’’ year our honorees included three categories: has reigned supreme over the world’s oceans. SCOTT (D–VA). (1) individual awardees: Norma Baker, GSgt. Today, our Navy ensures freedom of the seas Furthermore, family testimonies revealed for all nations who seek to use the world’s America in 1951 prior to the Brown versus the Maurice Bingham, USMC, Ret., Celestine Caldwell Hollings, Paul J. Matthews, Cpl. Fred shipping lanes for peaceful purposes. The Board of Education decision was a very dif- USS Ronald Reagan enhances our Navy’s McGee, USA, Freddi E. Moody, Master Chief ferent place when Sgt. Charlton, who would ability to do its job. have been 22, had he lived to his birthday, Vince Patton, USCG, Ret., Ed.D., Lt. Col. For California, the USS Ronald Reagan will July 24, distinguished himself in battle to such Charles H. Rucks, USMC, Ret., Isiah J. Wil- serve as a proud reminder of the legacy left an extent that he earned his nation’s highest liams, III, Master Chief Harold Wilson, USN, behind by our former Governor and President. recognition for valor—the Medal of Honor. Ret., and Wallace Terry (Posthumous); (2) or- President Reagan understood the importance However, when his body was returned from ganizational awardees: the Center for Drug of maintaining a strong and effective military. Korea, his family was denied the right to bury Abuse Research, Howard University, Commu- Throughout his administration, which brought his remains in Arlington National Cemetery nity Anti-Drug Coalition of America, Harlem about a successful end to the Cold War, with other Medal of Honor recipients. Sgt. Youth Marines, Inc., Morgan State University, President Reagan rebuilt America’s armed Charlton was a war hero, but Cornelius The Association of the 2221 Negro Volun- forces with a steadfast belief in the pursuit of Charlton was black. teers, WWII, and the 1279th Combat Engi- peace through strength. Because of this leg- Moreover, it wasn’t until 1990, when the neers Alumni Association; and (3) historic acy, it is entirely fitting that the most powerful American Legion spearheaded an effort to lo- groups and/or sites: United States Colored and diplomatically visible symbol of the Amer- cate the graves of all Medal of Honor recipi- Troops Institute and Olustee Battlefield Histor- ican Navy now shares both the name and ents. Through their efforts Charlton’s final rest- ical State Park. home state of President Ronald Reagan. ing place was identified as Bryant Memorial Finally, as we prepare our special 15th An- The crew of the USS Reagan will find the Park, which had become overgrown. niversary report, after-action briefs and legisla- San Diego community to be warm and wel- Yet, equally poignant, family testimonies re- tive proposals we must reiterate now more coming. San Diego has a mix of many cul- vealed that it wasn’t until 1997, a half century resolutely than ever before from the very be- tures and, as someone who moved my family since WWII, and President Harry Truman who ginning of independence ‘‘We were there,’’ here 20 years ago, I can assure the entire stood on the White House grounds and and despite the adversity, ‘‘We served!’ Simply crew that San Diego is a great place to live, awarded 28 United States Medals of Honor to read the missing pages of American history, or work, and raise a family. white soldiers for their outstanding valor that perhaps the footnotes and you will find the Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to rec- black soldiers who were denied the recogni- names of Crispus Attucks, Salem Poor, Sgt. ognize Mrs. Reagan who will participate in to- tion accorded their white counterparts, were William H. Carney, Cpl. Andrew Jackson morrow’s home porting ceremony. The USS awarded the same honor—the Medal of Smith, Harriet Tubman, Freddie Stowers, Sgt. Ronald Reagan is a testament to the many Honor. During a White House ceremony Henry Johnson, Mess Attendant Dorius ‘Dorie’ great things Ronald and Nancy Reagan ac- former President Clinton presented the na- Miller, Josephine Baker, Pvt. William Thomp- complished together. Ronald Reagan gave our tion’s highest military award for bravery to son, Sgt. Cornelius Charlton, Cpl. Fred nation hope and reminded us that with hard seven black WWII heroes, six of which were McGee, Captain Riley L. Pitts, Staff Sgt. Hill- work and determination we could do great things. President Reagan may have moved awarded posthumously. The only living vet- iard Carter, and others, as well as thunderous on, but his legacy is as strong and steady as eran awarded the medal of honor during the places like Breeds Hill, Fort Wagner, Honey the ship that now bears his name. ceremony was 77-year-old Vernon Baker, of Hill, New Market Heights, . ., Kunu-Ri, Hill St. Maries, Idaho. The other heroes finally 188, Hill 528, Hill 543, Pork Chop Hill, Ham- f awarded the Medal of Honor were: Edward A. burger Hill, Heartbreak Ridge, and others HONORING THE MOSES AND Carter, Jr., John R. Fox, Wily F. James, Jr., looming as silent reminders of past deeds, AARON FOUNDATION SPECIAL Ruben Rivers, Charles L. Thomas, and and debts unpaid. FUND FOR CHILDREN George Watson. Attending the ceremony was Therefore, let it be said, here, now and for- retired Army General Colin Powell, who as HON. JERROLD NADLER Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was the ever more that African Americans have not OF NEW YORK highest ranking African American in the mili- once, not twice, but repeatedly demonstrated IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tary. throughout this country’s long history an un- And now almost a century and a half after wavering dedication towards the principles of Thursday, July 22, 2004 the end of the Civil War, a resurgence of inter- freedom, liberty and justice for all. This is the Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to est and advocacy on behalf of legendary Har- true testament of African American patriotism call attention to a worthy organization, one riet Tubman has gradually materialized, while and looms as an outstanding example for cur- committed to special children and their fami- on the other hand the first-ever memorials to rent and future generations of Americans na- lies. The Moses and Aaron Foundation’s sig- honor black war heroes within: (a) the Com- tionwide, as well as freedom loving people nificant and enduring efforts deserve the high- monwealth of Virginia is being planned; (b) the around the world. est praise, as do the philanthropists who have first national park monument was dedicated to The struggle continues. given of themselves to fulfill its mission. VerDate May 21 2004 05:46 Jul 24, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22JY8.106 E22PT2.