Harlem Hellfighters Congressional Gold Medal Act

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3642, a bill that awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the 369th Infantry Regiment commonly known as the Harlem Hellfighters. This gold medal is in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during World War I.

I would like to thank Congressman Suozzi and the numerous original cosponsors for getting this important bill to the floor today.

I have heard from constituents who had family members and I have heard from folks from around the country about the importance of our recognizing this heroic group of--at that point--men. The 369th Infantry Regiment nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters were the first African-American infantry unit to fight in World War I. They were also one of the most decorated.

This is extraordinary. They became one of the most feared units fighting for the Allies in World War I, and they were notorious for never yielding ground to their enemies. This is extraordinary.

Their name, Harlem Hellfighters, which was given to them by the Germans, is reflective of that reputation. That was a hard-won reputation that they had, and that name is synonymous with the fear that produced in our enemies. They fearlessly spent 191 consecutive days on the front lines, which was more time in combat than any other American unit during the Great War--during World War I.

Additionally, I would be remiss if I did not point out that at least 249 North Carolina-born African-American men served in this prestigious unit. These brave sons of Carolina fought valiantly just west of the Argonne Forest in defense of an outpost against a German raiding party. During this conflict, four North Carolinian Hellfighters were wounded, including Sergeant Henry Johnson, a native of Winston-Salem that I have the honor to represent.

Not only were these men fierce fighters, they were also instrumental in influencing art and culture, including introducing jazz to Europe, and for that the Europeans should be grateful. Their leader, James Reese Europe, directed their regimental band to international acclaim.

Madam Speaker, the Harlem Hellfighters of World War I deserve a Congressional Gold Medal as the highest recognition of national appreciation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I am grateful for the bipartisan nature of this bill and also bringing attention to the valiant soldiers who protected us during the Great War, especially this very special decorated unit of intense fighters but fantastic humans.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, may I inquire if there are additional speakers? I am prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time.

There is an extraordinary story to tell about the American Armed Forces. There is an extraordinary story to tell about African Americans in our Armed Forces in the United States.

The Harlem Hellfighters were representative of a really amazing achievement during the war to end all wars, World War I. But there are also stories before this. That was not the first group of African Americans to fight to defend our Nation.

It was not the Civil War where African Americans fought for our Nation for the first time. It was not. It was actually our liberation from Great Britain. It was George Washington's army that had African Americans serving alongside other Americans to liberate us from Great Britain.

Our founding of this Nation is one of a multiracial, multiethnic, multilingual, amazing group of folks who wanted the same things, which is freedom to make decisions for themselves and for their families. And it was that first integrated army, which was George Washington's army, the Continental Army, that begat the African Americans who served alongside other Americans in the Civil War.

And, sadly, that established capacity was lost for two generations before the Great War, and the Harlem Hellfighters showed the American people that African Americans can fight just as well as any other American, and, in fact, do better in unmitigated harsh treatment on the front lines of the biggest war that anyone thought they would ever see in their lifetimes; which then said, during World War II, actually, we are all in this together; which then changed the whole face of the 20th century.

So what the Harlem Hellfighters represent to us in this debate is not just the good work of the Congressional delegation from New York, or Congressman Suozzi in bringing this to the floor today, but giving us the opportunity to highlight what this generation of men showed to the American people and to our allies in Europe about who we are as Americans.

So for us to honor the Harlem Hellfighters today has given us the opportunity to recognize 100 years of progress. Not even progress, not fulfillment of every dream that we have as Americans, not perfect, not perfect, but a whole hell of a lot better than we were 100 years ago when these Harlem Hellfighters showed the world not just what America is about, but specifically what African Americans were about and their capacity. Not just capacity to fight, but to be smart, to be capable, to deliver results, to be the best, the best.

So the last hundred years, you can go back to that generation of Harlem Hellfighters and you can see what they brought to the public and the understanding that they brought over the last hundred years, and it made us better.

So for us to have this opportunity to recognize them also lets us recognize ourselves as a country and who we are, and to actually say, you know, it is pretty amazing. We have an amazing country. And these men who fought and died--many who died--they loved their country. They love their country and they are willing to not just support it with words like I am right now, but with their lives.

So, with a grateful heart, I say thank you to Congressman Suozzi and his constituents for bringing this debate to the floor.

I want to thank my colleagues for doing this in a very wide, bipartisan way, and giving us the opportunity to have a broader look at history and the greatness of the last century and the improvement that we have as a result of what they broke through over 100 years ago in the Argonne Forest.

Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3642) to award a Congressional gold medal to the 369th Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the ``Harlem Hellfighters'', in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during World War I, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the soldiers of the 369th Infantry Regiment were known to both their enemies and allies alike for their fierceness in battle and dedication to their country. They were called the Black Rattlers, the Men of Bronze, and Hollenkampfer, but they were best known as the Harlem Hellfighters.

The Harlem Hellfighters were one of the first African-American regiments

to serve with the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. Over the course of the war, the Harlem Hellfighters spent more time than any other American unit in the frontline trenches and suffered 1,500 casualties--the most losses of any American unit.

In addition to facing the dangers of frontline trench warfare, the men of the Harlem Hellfighters endured racist, derogatory attacks from their White compatriots, many of whom refused to perform combat duty with African-American soldiers. This resulted in the Harlem Hellfighters being transferred to a French Army where, despite racist warnings from American Expeditionary Forces headquarters of the alleged inferior nature of African-American troops, the Harlem Hellfighters were treated as welcome reinforcements and equals.

Despite the racism and derogatory attacks from their fellow countrymen, the Harlem Hellfighters were steadfast in their devotion to their country. Some members considered their service to be a way to prove they deserved respect from their White compatriots. Even German propaganda targeting the Harlem Hellfighters highlighting the racism of a segregated U.S. military failed to diminish their resolve.

Yet, despite their considerable sacrifices and being awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Army for their efforts, the Harlem Hellfighters continued to face considerable racism when they returned home after World War I. Their bravery and accomplishments were similarly ignored by the broader American public. But their legacy and memory has been kept alive in their hometown. The annual Harlem Hellfighters Parade in Harlem, New York, became a marker of African- American service to their Nation, and their service was frequently referenced as part of the civil rights campaign.

This bill directs the U.S. Mint to strike a Congressional Gold Medal honoring the Harlem Hellfighters for their service during World War I. The gold medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution so that others may learn of the patriotism and courage displayed by the men of the 369th Infantry Regiment.

So, Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Suozzi for introducing this bill. I urge Members to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi) who is also the sponsor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat).

Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from New York an additional 1 minute.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty).

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

In closing, I certainly want to thank Mr. Suozzi for bringing forward this legislation. I want to thank Mr. Espaillat and Congresswoman Beatty for joining with him to bring this legislation forward. I want to thank Mr. McHenry and the members of the Financial Services Committee for joining together in support of this legislation.

The Harlem Hellfighters braved long deployments, treacherous conditions, and the scorn of their fellow patriots. So we find ourselves, I guess, 100 years later or so, understanding the important role that they played and the sacrifices that they made.

We also understand how important it is for all of us to not only give recognition to their sacrifice, but also recognize that this country has gone through some very difficult times, faced with the question of race.

Despite the fact that we have seen times in this country when we were moving forward and we thought we were erasing the kind of racism that had been present for too long, we find ourselves today fighting some of the same battles.

There are many in the history of this country who have made sacrifices in so many different ways that perhaps will never be recognized. But I am hopeful, with the cooperation, the cosponsorship, and the work for both sides of the aisle on a recognition such as this, that this will help us to continue to fight to rid this country of racism and discrimination and hatred.

I am hopeful that the word will go forward today about this recognition that we are giving to the Harlem Hellfighters and will inspire others to want to praise and honor those who are certainly ones who are so committed to

justice and equality, and who love this country will be treated better, will be recognized, and certainly will be given their correct place in history.

So I urge Members to celebrate the memory of these brave men of the 369th Infantry Regiment, who, through their service, sought to realize a more equal and a more perfect union, by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 3642.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, today we have the opportunity to begin to right a century-old wrong. I rise to support the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the Harlem Hellfighters.

Thousands of Harlem Hellfighters were African-American soldiers who signed up to join the U.S. Army in World War I. Sadly, but predictably, White soldiers were unwilling to serve alongside Black soldiers, and these brave men were assigned to join the French Army. But that didn't stop them.

The Harlem Hellfighters, wearing U.S. uniforms but issued weapons and helmets by the French, went on to face more combat time than any other regiment during World War I. No Harlem Hellfighter was captured as a prisoner of war, and they never gave up any ground.

The bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of the Harlem Hellfighters who served 191 days under near-constant enemy fire impacted the outcome of World War I, but instead of receiving a hero's welcome, they returned home to racism and race-fueled violence.

There were three dozen Hellfighters who came from my hometown of Glen Cove. In 2019 the family of Sergeant Leander Willett came to tell me about their father and grandfather. He had served in France and had been stabbed by a German bayonet and been the victim of mustard gas attacks, but never received a Purple Heart. He returned home and died in 1956 without ever being properly recognized and honored for his service to our country. He joined his fellow comrades who have been lost to history.

In November of 2019 we surprised the Willett family with a posthumous Purple Heart for Sergeant Willett for wounds received as a result of hostile actions in France on October 4, 1918.

I then approached my colleague Adriano Espaillat, who represents Harlem, and the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Joyce Beatty, about collaborating together to attain a Congressional Gold Medal. They both immediately and enthusiastically agreed. We went on to obtain 310 bipartisan cosponsors of this bill and expect strong support today.

I would like to especially thank Chairwoman Waters for her and the Financial Services Committee's support. On behalf of the Willett family, the families of dozens of Harlem Hellfighters from my hometown, and a grateful Nation, we say thank you to this body for putting aside partisanship and helping to right a century-old harm. It is never too late to do the right thing.

Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Suozzi for his leadership on this bill and for working with me on this fight for justice. I also want to thank Chairwoman Waters and Ranking Member McHenry for working with us to get this bill out of the committee.

Today, I rise in support of this bill to honor a group of brave men who have yet to receive their due commendation: the Harlem Hellfighters.

This distinguished group of African-American and Puerto Rican men were patriots of the highest valor. Their bravery, dedication, perseverance, and

service helped the United States and our Allied forces in our fight to secure victory. But, Madam Speaker, these fighters weren't even permitted to serve alongside their fellow White soldiers. Our government threw them to the side--assigning them to a unit of the French Government rather than our own.

They put their lives on the line for the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, despite doing so at a time when many like them did not enjoy the very freedoms they fought to protect.

Madam Speaker, these men spent 191 days in combat and were the most active regiment throughout the entire First World War. Under constant enemy fire and cast away from the nation they swore an oath to protect, they still persevered, fighting until the end.

There is no doubt that their heroism impacted the outcome of the war and, undoubtedly, American history as well.

This bill is a necessary first step to righting the decades-old injustice. It is about time the Harlem Hellfighters' invaluable contributions be commended and commemorated, and their service be formally recognized by our government. Let's finally give these men the Congressional Gold Medal they deserve.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be discharged from further consideration and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3642.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

Madam President, just a word, I was proud to be a cosponsor, along with Senator Gillibrand, of this legislation.

The Harlem Hellfighters are an example of bravery and courage under fire, and even though this regiment was consigned to racial segregation, they still loved America and fought hard for America and died for America. They are brave. They did a great job in World War I.

It is unfortunate that it has taken so long for this country to recognize their bravery, because so many of our soldiers of color were not recognized for their service. But this brings us to a wonderful, wonderful moment where the Harlem Hellfighters will get the Congressional Gold Medal.

I am very proud that we have done this.