Tim Kaine: “today, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of a momentous event in our Nation's history: the signing of Executive Order…”

“today, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of a momentous event in our Nation's history: the signing of Executive Order 9981 by President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1948. This landmark executive order marked a significant step forward in our ongoing journey toward a more inclusive and equitable society. A fundamental value of the United States is to support the equality of all. E.O. 9981, titled ``Establishing the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services,'' proclaimed that ``there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.'' By desegregating the military, this order shattered long-standing discriminatory practices and set a precedent for the pursuit of justice and racial equality. The issuance of E.O. 9981 was a response to the tireless efforts of countless civil rights activists, military leaders, and concerned citizens who recognized the moral imperative to confront racism and discrimination. It represented a critical turning point in the fight against racial injustice, serving as a catalyst for the broader civil rights movement to follow. Over the past seven and a half decades, the principles enshrined in E.O. 9981 have had a profound impact on our society.…”