Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today to pay tribute to a remarkable group of African American trailblazers and patriotic servicemen, the Montford Point Marines. These distinguished veterans did not just defend our Nation in a time of war; but through their courageous acts, they helped to spearhead a movement where the goals of achieving equal opportunity and respect for universal human rights are now more intricately woven into our society. In 1942 President Roosevelt established a Presidential directive allowing African Americans to be recruited into the United States Marine Corps. These African American recruits were trained at a segregated compound known as Montford Point, a facility at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Over 20,000 African Americans bravely served in the Marine Corps during World War II. They selflessly and voluntarily put themselves in harm's way to defend our homeland and to safeguard these freedoms. This past summer, Mr. Speaker, I had the honor of attending the reburial ceremony of Montford Point Marine Private James Benjamin. Private Benjamin's remains and surviving family members were escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from the West Mortuary in Montezuma, Georgia; and he was laid to rest with full military honors at the Andersonville National Cemetery this past Memorial Day weekend.…”