On the recordJuly 21, 2020
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. ____________________
