OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Enhancement Act of 2009

Date: July 14, 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security


PORT CHICAGO NAVAL MAGAZINE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2009 -- (House of Representatives - July 14, 2009)

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Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1044--The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial Enhancement Act of 2009. I would like to thank my colleague from California, Congressman George Miller, for offering this resolution and for his lengthy and dedicated work to ensure that history records the real story of the bravery and heroism of those injured and killed at Port Chicago on July 17, 1944.

On that day, 320 sailors and civilians were killed when munitions caches being loaded onto ships at Port Chicago, California, accidentally detonated. In addition, 390 sailors and civilians were injured in the explosion. The vast majority of the dead and injured were enlisted African Americans serving our country during World War II.

Following the accident, when servicemen protested the dangerous process of loading munitions and the apparent lack of interest or will to remedy the process, the men were court-martialed for being ``mutinous'' and sentenced to prison terms. The group came to be known as ``The Port Chicago 50.''

This accident happened during a time when segregation in all aspects of American life still raged in our country. Even men who put their lives on the line for our country were not spared from the effects of racism. Not surprisingly, both the ensuing reparations for family members and the shameful trial of these men were loaded with racial overtones.

The least we can do then is to upgrade the status of the Memorial erected in honor of those killed at Port Chicago to that of a National Park, so that we can direct appropriate Federal funds to repair and maintain the Memorial.

In addition, I hope we can take the additional step of exonerating these men and expunging their criminal records. In the meantime, let's honor the fallen of Port Chicago by supporting H.R. 1044.

I again thank my colleague, Mr. Miller, for offering this bill.

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