July 21, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 128 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page H3597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMEMORATING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HEROES

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, just a few minutes ago, I heard 
Professor Meachum indicate that the American people voted some years 
ago on one of the most significant moments of the 20th century, and 
that was a civil rights moment, a civil rights movement.
  We now have a significant moment in history to combine all the work 
that we need to do to change America's attitudes on race. We know that 
we have lost two amazing heroes of this Nation, C.T. Vivian and 
Congressman John Lewis, whom we will pay tribute to in just a few days.
  But I wanted to say today that I am very grateful that, in this 
recent NDAA, the Armed Services bill, we passed an amendment that would 
direct the Secretary of Defense to assess the heroes, African-American 
heroes, like General Benjamin O. Davis, General Chappie James, as well 
as Tuskegee Airmen, after which bases and other defense properties 
would be named.
  It is now long overdue to honor these brave heroes who fought for 
this Nation, from the Revolutionary War until now. I believe we will do 
that, and I am looking forward to that being a piece of the civil 
rights moment, along with H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop 
Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act.

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