HJR 25-1020 — African American Veterans

HOUSEFirst JOINTRegular RESOLUTIONSession 25-1020Seventy-fifth BYGeneral REPRESENTATIVE(S)Assembly EnglishSTATE andOF Carter,COLORADO Bacon,ENGROSSED Camacho,LLS Jackson,NO. Joseph, Ricks, Armagost, Barron, Bird, Boesenecker, Bottoms, Bradfield, Bradley, Brooks, Brown, Caldwell, Clifford, DeGraaf, Duran, Espenoza, Feret, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Hartsook, Johnson, Keltie, Lieder, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Luck, Lukens, Martinez, Mauro, McCormick, Paschal, Phillips, Pugliese, Richardson, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Smith, StewartK., StewartR., Story, Suckla, Taggart, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Weinberg, Willford, Winter T., Woodrow, Woog, McCluskie;

alsoR25-0790.02 SENATOR(S)Faith ExumMarcovecchio x4331 HJR25-1020 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP English and Coleman,Carter, Amabile,Bacon, Baisley,Camacho, Ball,Jackson, Bridges,Joseph, Bright,Ricks, Carson,Armagost, Catlin,Barron, Cutter,Bird, Danielson,Boesenecker, Daugherty,Bottoms, GonzalesBradfield, J.,Bradley, Hinrichsen,Brooks, JaquezBrown, Lewis,Caldwell, Jodeh,Clifford, Kipp,DeGraaf, Kirkmeyer,Duran, Kolker,Espenoza, Liston,Feret, Lundeen,Froelich, Marchman,Garcia, MichaelsonGarcia Jenet,Sander, PeltonGilchrist, B.,Gonzalez PeltonR., Hamrick, Hartsook, Johnson, Keltie, Lieder, Lindsay, Lindstedt, Luck, Lukens, Martinez, Mauro, McCluskie, McCormick, Paschal, Phillips, Pugliese, Richardson, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Smith, Stewart K., Stewart R., Rich,Story, Roberts,Suckla, Rodriguez,Taggart, Simpson,Titone, Snyder,Valdez, Sullivan,Velasco, Weissman,Weinberg, Willford, Winter F..T., Woodrow, Woog SENATE SPONSORSHIP Exum and Coleman, House Committees Senate Committees HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 25-1020 C ONCERNING RECOGNITION OF A FRICAN A MERICAN VETERANS .

CONCERNINGWHEREAS,ThemilitaryhistoryofAfricanAmericansspansfrom RECOGNITIONthearrivalof OFthefirstenslavedAfricansduringthecolonialhistoryofthe AFRICANUnited AMERICANStates VETERANS.to the present day;

WHEREAS,and TheWHEREAS,Throughoutthehistoryof militarytheUnitedStates,African historyAmericanshavehonorablyservedineverymilitaryconflictfoughtbythe ofnation,oftenfacingsegregation,discrimination,andlimitedopportunities Africanwhile Americanscourageously spansdefending fromour thenation; arrival ofthe first enslavedAfricans duringthe colonialhistory ofthe United States to the present day;

and WHEREAS, Throughout the history of the United States, African Americans havehonorably served in everymilitaryconflictfought bythe .nation, oftenfacing segregation, discrimination, andlimitedopportunities while courageously defending our nation;

and g 2 WHEREAS, Through their dedication and valor, African AmericanE serviced members2 demonstratedS theire unwavering7 commitmentO tol thea idealsShading ofdenotes democracyHOUSE andamendment. equality, even when those ideals were not extended to them, and they ultimately helped to lay the groundwork for the broader civil rights movement;

andDouble WHEREAS,underlining Evendenotes thoughSENATE manyamendment. African American men and women have tragically lost their lives in service to their country, these and countless other African Americans chose the path ofmilitary service to prove their worth, regain a sense ofdignity, and secure a place ofhonor withina societythat often deniedthem fundamental rights.

ThroughtheirH bravery,i resilience,r andCapital determination,letters theseor individualsbold not& onlyitalic servednumbers inindicate defensenew ofourmaterial nationto butbe alsoadded fought for their right to standexistFnF aslaw. equals alongside their fellow service members;

andDashes WHEREAS, The military has long served as a unique arena in which African American men and women could rise through the ranks,words challengingor societalnumbers limitationsindicate anddeletions breakingfrom barriersexisting thatlaw. confined them to second-class status;

andAmerican WHEREAS,service Despitemembers facingdemonstrated segregation,their discrimination,unwavering andunequalcommitment treatmentto boththe withinideals andof outsidedemocracyand ofmilitaryequality, service,even Africanwhen Americanthose veteransideals persevered,were demonstratingnot excellence,extended leadership, and a deep commitment to duty,them, thusand pavingthey theultimately wayhelped for future generations of African American service members to continuelay the fightgroundwork for equality, justice, and respect within the armedbroader forcescivil andrights throughoutmovement; American society;

and WHEREAS, AfricanEven Americanthough veteransmany haveAfrican playedAmerican pivotalmen rolesand inwomen everyhave wartragically foughtlost bytheir thelives Unitedin States,service includingtheto Revolutionarytheir War,country, thethese Warandcountlessother ofAfrican 1812,Americans thechosethepathof Mexicanmilitaryservice Americantoprovetheirworth,regainasenseofdignity,andsecureaplaceofhonor War,withinasocietythatoftendeniedthemfundamentalrights.Throughtheir thebravery, Civilresilience, War,and thedetermination, Indianthese Wars,individuals thenot SpanishAmericanonly War,served bothWorldin Wars,defense theof Koreanour War,nation thebut Vietnamalso War,fought thefor Persiantheir Gulfright War,to andstand conflictsas inequals Iraqalongside andtheir Afghanistan,fellow demonstratingservice exceptionalmembers; bravery and dedication;

and WHEREAS, DuringThe themilitary Civilhas War,long approximatelyserved 180,000as a unique arena in which African American soldiersmen servedand inwomen thecould Unionrise Army,through makingthe upranks, nearlychallenging 10societal percentofitslimitationsand totalbreaking force,barriers andthat anadditionalconfined 19,000them servedintheNavy;to second-class status;

and PAGEWHEREAS, 2-HOUSEDespite JOINTfacing RESOLUTIONsegregation, 25-1020discrimination, WHEREAS,and Duringunequal Worldtreatment Warboth I,within moreand thanoutside 380,000of military service, African AmericansAmericanveteranspersevered,demonstratingexcellence,leadership,and servedadeepcommitmenttoduty,thuspavingthewayforfuturegenerationsof inAfrican theAmerican Unitedservice Statesmembers military,to manycontinue ofthe whomfight facedfor segregationequality, justice, and discriminationwhilerespect makingwithin invaluablethe contributionsarmed toforces theand warthroughout effort;American society;

and WHEREAS,WHEREAS,AfricanAmericanveteranshaveplayedpivotalroles Duringin Worldevery Warwar II,fought moreby thanthe 1.25United millionStates, Africanincluding Americansthe servedRevolutionary inWar, the UnitedWar Statesof military,1812, includingthe inMexican combatAmerican andWar, supportthe roles,Civil whileWar, alsothe breakingIndian barriersWars, thatthe pavedSpanish American War, both World Wars, the wayKorean forWar, the desegregationVietnam oftheWar, armedthe forces;Persian Gulf War, and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, demonstrating exceptional bravery and dedication;

and WHEREAS,DespitethededicationandsacrificeWHEREAS,DuringtheCivilWar,approximately180,000African ofAfricanAmericanAmerican servicesoldiers members,served manyin militarythe authoritiesUnion haveArmy, historicallymaking beenup skepticalnearly oftheirpatriotism,10 questioningpercentofitstotalforce,andanadditional19,000servedintheNavy;and theirWHEREAS, loyaltyandDuring commitmenttoWorld War I, more than 380,000 African Americans served in the nationUnited theyStates bravelymilitary, served.many of whom faced segregationanddiscriminationwhilemakinginvaluablecontributionsto the war effort;

Thisand skepticism-2- persisted1020 fromWHEREAS,DuringWorldWarII,morethan1.25millionAfrican theAmericans timeserved beforein the endUnited ofStates slaverymilitary, throughincluding Reconstructionin combat and wellsupport intoroles, while also breaking barriers that paved the twentiethway century.for the desegregation of the armed forces;

Evenand asWHEREAS, AfricanDespite Americansthe foughtdedication valiantlyand insacrifice warsof suchAfrican asAmerican theservice Civilmembers, War,many Worldmilitary Warauthorities I,have andhistorically Worldbeen Warskeptical II,of theytheir werepatriotism, oftenquestioning relegatedtheir toloyalty segregatedand units,commitment givento less prestigious assignments, or denied the recognitionnation theytheybravelyserved. deserved;

andThis WHEREAS,skepticism Thispersisted unjustfrom treatmentthe continuedtime untilbefore the landmarkend militarydesegregationpoliciesof of1948,slaverythrough whenPresidentHarryReconstruction S.and well intothetwentiethcentury.EvenasAfricanAmericansfoughtvaliantlyin wars such as the Civil War, World War I, and World War II, they were oftenrelegatedtosegregatedunits,givenlessprestigiousassignments,or denied the recognition they deserved;

Trumanand issuedExecutiveWHEREAS, OrderThis 9981,unjust whichtreatment soughttocontinued enduntil segregationwithinthethe landmark militarydesegregationpoliciesof1948,whenPresidentHarryS.Truman issuedExecutiveOrder9981,whichsoughttoendsegregationwithinthe armed forces.

However, even after this official policy change, African American veterans continued to face barriers to full equality in the military,military,strugglingagainstsystemicracism,discrimination,andunequal struggling against systemic racism, discrimination, andunequal opportunities for advancement, despite their proven dedication to defending the very freedoms that often eluded them in civilian life;

and WHEREAS,WHEREAS,TheimplementationofExecutiveOrder9981marked The implementation ofExecutive Order 9981 marked a turning point in United States military history, leading to the gradual integration ofAfricanof African Americans into all branches of the armed forces and paving the way for broader civil rights advancements in American society.However,society.However,despitethisorder,desegregationofthemilitarywasnot despitethisfullyrealized order, desegregationofthemilitarywasnot fully realized for severalyears,several years, and all-African-Americanunitsall-African-American units persisted well into the Korean War, with the last all-African-American unit not being disbanded until 1954;

and PAGEWHEREAS,Despitetheirunwaveringservice,AfricanAmerican 3-HOUSEveteranshavehistoricallybeendeniedequalrightsandbenefits,including JOINT RESOLUTION 25-1020 WHEREAS, Despite their unwavering service, African American veteranshavehistoricallybeendeniedequalrights andbenefits, including access to the GI Bill, housing assistance, and other veteran services, highlighting the need for continued advocacy and justice;

and WHEREAS, While African American service members continue to demonstrate vigilance and resilience in all aspects of militarymilitaryservice, service, there remains much work to be done in the pursuit of equality, opportunity,opportunity,andrecognition.AfricanAmericanmenandwomenhaveled andrecognition.-3- 1020 thechargeinadvocatingforamoreinclusivemilitary,clearingapathfor future generations to serve with dignity and pride.

AfricanAmericanmenandwomenhave led the charge in advocating for amore inclusive military, clearing apath for future generations to serve with dignity and pride.

and WHEREAS, The African American communitycommunitytakes takes great pride inintheenduringlegacies theleft enduringbythosewhohaveserved,andtheycontinue legaciesto leftbythose who have served, andthey continueto build upontheupon the foundation ofexcellence,of excellence, determination, and courage laid by those who came before, ensuring that their contributions are remembered and that their history serves as an inspiration for the next generation ofserviceof service members and leaders;

and WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African American militarymilitarypilots pilots in the United States armed forces during World War II;

the Montford PointMarines;Point Marines;

and WHEREAS, The late Lieutenant Colonel Clarence Shivers and Colonel James HarveyHarveyIII IIIstandas stand as towering figures inAfricanAmericanin African American military history, particularly in the context of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Lieutenant Colonel Shivers, a distinguished member of the Tuskegee Airmen, served with bravery and distinction during World War II in the 332nd Fighter Group, which was known for its distinctive red-tailed aircraftandplayedasignificantroleinescortingbombersaircraftandplayedasignificantroleinescortingbombersduringmissions duringmissionsoverEurope.Hislegacyisimmortalizedwithastatuededicatedtohimat overEurope.the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, symbolizing his remarkable contributions to the United States Air Force and the struggle for equality in military service.

HisShivers legacyretired isin immortalizedwith1969, ahaving statueproven dedicatedhimself toan himintegral atpart of the UnitedTuskegee StatesAirmen, Aira Forcegroup Academyof inpioneering ColoradoAfrican Springs,American symbolizingpilots hiswho remarkableshattered contributionsracial tobarriers the United States Air Force and the struggle for equality in militaryaviation; service.

Shiversand retiredWHEREAS, inColonel 1969,James havingHarvey PAGEIII 4-HOUSEmade JOINThis RESOLUTIONmark 25-1020as provenone himself an integral part of the Tuskegeefirst Airmen, a group of pioneering African American pilotsofficers whoin shatteredthe racialUnited barriersStates inAir aviation;Force.

and WHEREAS, Colonel James Harvey III made his mark as one ofthe first African American officers in the United States Air Force.

As a member oftheof the Tuskegee Airmen,Airmen,hehelpedpavethewayfortheeventualintegrationoftheUnited heStatesAirForceandcontributedtothedesegregationofthemilitary.Both helpedmen's pavecareers theexemplify way for the eventualcourage, integrationresilience, oftheand Unitedprofessionalism Statesof Air-4- Force1020 andAfricanAmericanservicemembersinthefaceofadversity,makingthem contributediconic tofigures in the desegregationhistory of theColorado military.military service;

Both men's careers exemplifythe courage, resilience, andprofessionalism ofAfrican American service members in the face ofadversity, making them iconic figures in the historyfColorado military service;

She joinedthejoined the 38th United States Infantry Regiment, which was stationed in the western frontier during the post-Civil War era.

She was honorably discharged andpassedand awaypassed inawayin Colorado, and her memorial is in Pueblo;

and WHEREAS, Wanda James, a distinguished veteran of the United States Navy, made history as the first African American woman to be a part oftheof the Naval ROTC program at the UniversityUniversityof ofColoradoColorado Boulder.

Her groundbreaking service in the Navy paved the way for future generationsgenerationsofAfricanAmericanwomentopursuemilitarycareers.Inher ofAfricanAmericanwomentopursuemilitarycareers.continued commitment to public service and higher education, James currently serves as a member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, where she has made a profound and lasting impact on the lives of students, advocating for inclusive policies and supporting initiatives that foster academic excellence, diversity, and leadership development within the university community;

Inher continued commitment to public service and higherWHEREAS,LeslieSummeyisaUnitedStatesNavyveteran.She education,isthefirstAfricanAmericanpersontoeverbeelectedasaCommissioner JamesontheArapahoeCountyBoardofCountyCommissionersandwassworn currentlyinto servesoffice asJanuary a9, member2023. of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, where she has made a profound and lasting impact on the lives of students, advocating for inclusive policies and supporting initiatives that foster academic excellence, diversity, and leadership development within the university community;

and WHEREAS, Leslie Summey is a United States Navy veteran.