From the office of Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA), and Congressman Don Davis (D-NC) introduced a resolution to honor Black service members in honor of Memorial Day.

“Millions of African Americans have answered the call to serve and protect the American people from all threats, both foreign and domestic. In all too many instances, they have had to fight for equal access to benefits and respect upon returning home,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Clyburn. “This resolution, aptly timed for Memorial Day, seeks to provide African American veterans and service members the recognition they are rightfully due.” 

“Black soldiers have fought and given their lives in every American conflict since the Revolutionary War — fighting for democracy at home and abroad, while being treated like second-class citizens on American soil,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. “This resolution seeks to rectify the gross injustices that these brave Americans experienced serving their nation.” 

“Though we have made great strides in the past two hundred years, too many Americans are unaware of the conditions in which so many Black Americans served our country – be it enslaved, or in segregated units, or under conditions where bigotry limited their professional development or recognition of valor,” said Congressman Bishop. “This resolution reminds us of the valor and patriotism of Black Americans who fought in America’s armed forces, overcoming both external enemies and domestic prejudices in order to make our country a more perfect union with life, liberty, and justice for all.”

“As a US Air Force veteran, I am proud to join Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick and other bill sponsors in honoring Black service members across our country who have fought to defend our cherished freedoms,” said Congressman Davis. “Our country would not be where it is today without Black service members’ sacrifices and selfless service. We must always honor our nation’s heroes.”

Black veterans gave their lives to protect and defend the United States at home and abroad despite facing racism in the Armed Services and systemic inequities on American soil. Black members have served heroically for over 200 years in every American conflict including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror. 

Additional original co-sponsors of the resolution include Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Hank Johnson Jr. (D-GA-04), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), André Carson (D-IN-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ-10), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), Al Green (D-TX-09), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), and Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30).