February 15, 2025
A brand new invoice goals to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the African Individuals who fought for the Union within the Civil Struggle.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) are main an effort to safe the Congressional Gold Medal for the 200,000 African Individuals who served within the Union Military throughout the Civil Struggle.
On Monday, Holmes and Booker launched america Coloured Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act to coincide with Black Historical past Month. If handed, the invoice would posthumously honor roughly 200,000 African American males who served within the Union Military and 19,000 who served within the Union Navy throughout the Civil Struggle with the Congressional Gold Medal.
“A whole bunch of 1000’s of African Individuals who fought for the Union within the Civil Struggle have largely been overlooked of the nation’s historic reminiscence, regardless of having sacrificed their security, and in lots of instances their lives,” Congresswoman Norton mentioned in a press launch.
“This invoice will assist appropriate that mistaken and provides the descendants of these troopers the popularity they deserve. Thanks to Senator Booker for partnering with me on this effort and for introducing the Senate model of the invoice so early this Congress.”
Though African Individuals had served in earlier wars lengthy earlier than the Civil Struggle, there was preliminary resistance to recruiting them as troopers initially of the battle. Nevertheless, on Could 22, 1863, america Struggle Division issued Common Order Quantity 143, which created the Bureau of Coloured Troops to arrange and recruit regiments of African American troopers, referred to as america Coloured Troops.
By the top of the struggle, roughly 179,000 Black males had served within the Union Military, and one other 19,000 served within the Navy. Whereas Black ladies weren’t allowed to formally enlist as troopers or sailors, they contributed as nurses, cooks, spies, and scouts for each the Military and Navy.
“African Individuals have laid down their lives serving in our nation’s armed forces for tons of of years,” mentioned Senator Booker. “Although usually ignored or forgotten, america Coloured Troops had been important to preserving the Union throughout the Civil Struggle. We should honor their legacy and guarantee their service and sacrifice are remembered as an integral a part of our nation’s historical past. Greater than 150 years have handed because the finish of the struggle, and this invoice will guarantee these American heroes are lastly awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their combat for liberty, equality, and justice.”
Holmes is urging her colleagues in Congress to help the invoice and get it handed.
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