Mark Kelly

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 160th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldier regiments and to honor the extraordinary legacy of service, courage, and sacrifice of the Black soldiers who helped shape the U.S. Army and our Nation.

On July 28, 1866, Congress authorized the creation of six all-Black Army regiments as part of the Army's post-Civil War reorganization. These units--the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry Regiments, later consolidated into the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments--became known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Today, July 28, is observed as Buffalo Soldiers Day.

For nearly nine decades, the Buffalo Soldiers served with distinction despite enduring discrimination and segregation within the very military and country they swore to defend. They fought in the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, the Mexican Expedition, World Wars I and II, and the Korean war. Beyond combat, they built roads and telegraph lines, escorted mail and wagon trains, protected communities across the American West, and served as some of our Nation's first park rangers in Yosemite, Sequoia, and General Grant National Parks, where they fought wildfires and protected America's public lands.

Their exemplary service helped lay the foundation for a more inclusive Armed Forces. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, beginning the desegregation of the Armed Forces and marking a pivotal step toward equality in military service.

For Arizona, this history carries special significance. Fort Huachuca served as a home station for the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments. The 10th Cavalry became the post's garrison regiment in 1913, participated in General John J. Pershing's Mexican Expedition, guarded the southern border during World War I, and served in and around Nogales, where the regiment maintained a squadron-sized camp and patrolled the surrounding border region. The 25th Infantry Regiment later assumed the garrison mission. During World War II, more than 30,000 Black soldiers passed through Fort Huachuca before deploying in service to our Nation. Their service is woven into Arizona's history and remains a lasting source of pride for our State.

As a Navy combat veteran, I know the strength of our military has always come from those willing to serve. The Buffalo Soldiers proved that through decades of dedicated service under some of the most difficult circumstances. Their story reminds us that some of the Americans who sacrificed the most for our country were too often denied the very freedoms and opportunities they fought to defend. Honoring their service means recognizing both their extraordinary military accomplishments and the barriers they overcame in service to our Nation.

I also recognize the descendants, veterans, historians, educators, and community leaders who continue preserving and sharing this important history so that future generations understand the lasting contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers.

On this 160th anniversary, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Buffalo Soldiers, remembering their sacrifices, and celebrating their enduring impact on our military and our Nation.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of James Hong Shee, a respected Arizona community leader whose decades of civic engagement, business leadership, and public advocacy helped strengthen communities across our State.

Born into a Chinese and Spanish American family, Jim developed a lifelong appreciation for Arizona's cultural diversity and the importance of building connections among people from different backgrounds. His family operated the Peking Cafe, a longtime Phoenix restaurant that became a gathering place for residents from throughout the community.

Jim dedicated much of his life to expanding economic opportunity and civic participation in Arizona. In 1993, he founded the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce, helping establish an organization that has supported Asian-owned businesses and strengthened Arizona's economy for more than three decades. He also founded the Phoenix Asian-Hispanic Alliance, recognizing the importance of collaboration among Arizona's diverse communities.

Throughout his career, Jim worked to ensure that Arizona's Asian American community had a stronger voice in public affairs. A respected leader and advocate, he encouraged greater participation in business, community organizations, and public service. During periods of significant debate over immigration and civil rights issues in Arizona, he spoke out against policies he believed would divide communities and worked to foster constructive dialogue.

Jim's contributions extended beyond the organizations he founded. He worked with civic, business, and community leaders across Arizona to promote greater understanding and cooperation among the State's diverse communities. His commitment to building relationships across communities earned him the respect of leaders and residents throughout Arizona.

Arizona is stronger because of Jim's leadership, advocacy, and commitment to public service. His work expanded opportunities for others and fostered

connections across communities that will endure for generations.

My thoughts are with Jim's wife Marian, his family, friends, and all those mourning his loss. We honor Jim Shee's life of service and celebrate the lasting impact he had on Arizona and its people.

Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Robert ``Bobby'' Edward Douglas, an Olympian, coach, mentor, and one of the most respected figures in American wrestling.

Born in Bellaire, OH, on March 27, 1942, Bobby Douglas overcame significant adversity early in life and developed the resilience and determination that would define both his athletic and coaching career. Throughout his career, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, discipline, and dedication to the athletes and communities he served.

Coach Douglas was one of the first Black wrestlers to represent the United States at the Olympic Games, competing in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics at a time when opportunities for Black athletes in many sports remained limited. He later served as captain of the 1968 U.S. Olympic wrestling team and earned silver and bronze medals at the World Championships, establishing himself as one of the top wrestlers of his era.

In 1973, Coach Douglas became the first Black head coach of a major college wrestling program when he was hired at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 1975, he came to Arizona where he helped build Arizona State University into a national wrestling powerhouse and led the Sun Devils to the program's first and only NCAA wrestling national championship in 1988. During his 17 seasons leading the program, ASU produced 59 All-Americans, three NCAA individual champions, Olympians, and generations of student-athletes who carried forward the lessons he taught both on and off the mat. During his time at ASU, Coach Douglas was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year eight times.

Coach Douglas later spent 14 seasons as head coach at Iowa State University, where he accumulated 198 victories and coached 3 teams to runner-up finishes at the NCAA Championships. In 2000, he was named the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Coach of the Year.

His contributions extended far beyond collegiate wrestling. Coach Douglas served for many years as a dedicated coach for USA Wrestling and later served as head coach of the 1992 U.S. Olympic wrestling team, which earned six medals at the Barcelona Olympic Games. He also served as head coach for the U.S. World Championship teams in 1989 and 1991.

Over the course of his career, Coach Douglas became one of only 4 collegiate wrestling coaches to win more than 400 dual matches, finishing with 427 career victories. In 1987, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member and later earned induction into the Arizona State University Hall of Fame, the Iowa State Hall of Fame, the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame, the NAIA Hall of Fame, and the West Liberty Hall of Fame.

Coach Douglas passed away on February 23, 2026, at the age of 83. His passing is a tremendous loss for Arizona, Arizona State University, and the generations of athletes and families whose lives he impacted throughout his career.

Former wrestlers and colleagues consistently described Coach Douglas as disciplined and deeply committed to the success of his athletes. He emphasized accountability, hard work, and

integrity, and he remained dedicated to mentoring young wrestlers long after his collegiate coaching career ended through camps, clinics, and community programs in Arizona and across the country.

Arizona is stronger because of Coach Douglas' leadership, mentorship, and commitment to young people. His legacy will continue to be felt through the athletes, coaches, and families he inspired throughout his remarkable life.

My thoughts are with his wife Jackie Davis Douglas; his son Bobby Douglas, Jr.; his former athletes and colleagues; and all those mourning his loss. We honor Coach Bobby Douglas' lifetime of achievement and celebrate the lasting impact he had on Arizona and our Nation.