Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, the most important role of the national parks is to provide a link to our Nation's proud history. I believe in American exceptionalism. The story of our Nation is the story of the uniquely American principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and how they shaped and molded what has become the most successful Republic in the history of human civilization.

One aspect of that story is exemplified by the Buffalo Soldiers, Americans of African descent who transcended the prejudices of the post-Civil War era to serve as the first peacetime Army units comprised of African Americans. They took the heroism and patriotism of the famous 54th Massachusetts and other Civil War units and made them into a proud and permanent fixture within the American Armed Forces. Their members included Medal of Honor winner Louis H. Carpenter and Henry O. Flipper, the first American of African descent to graduate from West Point.

The Buffalo Soldiers made immeasurable contributions to the continental expansion of our Nation, to the protection of our first national parks, but perhaps most important is their immortal contribution to the unification of our Nation as a free people.

As Shakespeare said, Their story should the good man teach his son. This bill would develop a plan to do precisely that within the national park system. I urge its adoption.

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

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