SPONSOR:	Rep. Wagner & Sen. Henry ;
	Reps. Spence, Blakey, Carey, Maier, Outten, D. Short, Valihura, Ennis, Kowalko, Schwartzkopf, Viola

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

144th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12

EXPRESSING THE SINCERE GRATITUDE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE DELAWARE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS.

WHEREAS, African Americans have fought heroically in every major conflict in the United States, even during the Indian Wars and the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, nearly 200,000 African Americans served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and more than 33,000 died on Civil War battlefields; and

WHEREAS, in 1866, through an Act of Congress, legislation was adopted to allow African Americans to serve in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, the United States Congress created four African American regiments in 1867: the 9^th U.S. Calvary, the 10^th U.S. Calvary, the 24^th Infantry and the 25^th Infantry, which were assigned to protect settlements and railroad workers, build roads, establish telegraphs and map large swaths of previously unknown territory, particularly in the Southwest; and

WHEREAS, the first African American soldiers were nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers” by the Comanche Native American tribe in 1867; and

WHEREAS, the Comanche term actually translates as “wild buffalo” which were revered by Native Americans and was given out of respect for the soldiers’ fierce fighting ability and dogged trail skills; and

WHEREAS, Buffalo Soldiers of the Old West earned 25 Medals of Honor, the highest distinction a soldier may earn for battlefield valor; and

WHEREAS, African American soldiers who fought in World War I were highly decorated by the French for their heroic battlefield deed, but not until 70 years after the war ended did an African American soldier, Cpl. Freddie Stowers, posthumously receive the Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, during peacetime, from 1920 through 1941, Buffalo Soldiers formed efficient horse and marksmanship units; and

WHEREAS, during World War II African American soldiers were still segregated by race and again became known as the Buffalo Soldiers, having the buffalo as their mascot; and

WHEREAS, although more than one million African American soldiers were involved in World War II, of which 50,000 saw combat, it was not until 1997 did seven (six posthumously) receive the Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, the gradual desegregation of the military after World War II brought an end to the 9^th and 10^th Calvaries; and

WHEREAS, the United States owes a great debt of gratitude to the bravery and sacrifice of the Buffalo Soldiers.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 144^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that we hereby pay tribute to the Buffalo Soldiers for their unselfish acts of loyalty, dedication and commitment to the citizens of the United States of America and for their important role in helping shape our country.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitably prepared copy of this Resolution be presented to the Delaware Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers.