Congressman Anthony Brown Praises Appointments To Base Renaming Commission

Press Release

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), a 30-year Army veteran and senior Black member on the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement praising Secretary Lloyd Austin and Congressional leaders' announced appointments to the commission tasked with renaming of U.S. military installations that recognize Confederate military officers:

"Men who fought to preserve the institution of slavery and betrayed our country to defend white supremacy do not deserve to be honored by our military. This commission is tasked with a serious mandate, to recommend redesignations that honor Americans who embody the values to which we aspire and reflect our nation's diversity. These appointments have the lived experience and expertise needed to make well reasoned recommendations for redesignations that every American can be proud of. I look forward to monitoring their progress as we continue to push forward diversity, inclusion and justice within the ranks of our armed services.

Congressman Brown and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) championed the provision in the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act to redesignate military bases and Department of Defense property honoring leaders of the Confederacy. A bipartisan supermajority overrode President Trump's veto of the measure.

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