A new bill aims to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War.
“Hundreds of thousands of African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War have largely been left out of the nation’s historical memory, despite having sacrificed their safety, and in many cases their lives,” Congresswoman Norton said in a press release.
“This bill will help correct that wrong and give the descendants of those soldiers the recognition they deserve. Thank you to Senator Booker for partnering with me in this effort and for introducing the Senate version of the bill so early this Congress.”
Although African Americans had served in previous wars long before the Civil War, there was initial resistance to recruiting them as soldiers at the start of the conflict. However, on May 22, 1863, the United States War Department issued General Order Number 143, which created the Bureau of Colored Troops to organize and recruit regiments of African American soldiers, known as the United States Colored Troops.
Holmes is urging her colleagues in Congress to support the bill and get it passed.
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Source: Black Enterprise
