John Spratt: “I rise in support of an amendment I have offered to H.R. 4301 that would authorize the President to issue posthumous…”

“I rise in support of an amendment I have offered to H.R. 4301 that would authorize the President to issue posthumous military commissions to two African Americans who fell victim to racial prejudice and harassment while attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point during the post Civil War period. In the first instance, this amendment recommends a posthumous commission in the grade of second lieutenant for James Webster Smith of South Carolina, who is 1870 was the first African-American ever appointed to West Point. Smith was an intelligent young man who was recruited to receive the distinction of attending the U.S. Military Academy. Despite successfully passing the academic and physical exams required for admission, Smith was not accepted by the other cadets because of his race. Cadet Smith was finally discharged from the Academy after enduring racial prejudice and harassment.”