Image: Buffalo Soldiers on Horseback, Mosca Pass Trail, by Patrick Myers, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado, National Park Service, Wikimedia Commons
Dear Colleague,
Yesterday marked the 138th anniversary of the formation of the first regular U.S. Army regiments composed of African American soldiers. In honor of their service to our country, we write to request you join us as a cosponsor of H.R. 1222, the Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act, which will award a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress, to the legendary Buffalo soldier regiments.
In July 1866, Congress passed the Army Organization Act, authorizing the formation of infantry and cavalry regiments made up of former slaves to serve in the U.S. Army. These all-Black regiments served in major conflicts including the Plains Wars, Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, Mexican Expedition, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
The nickname, “Buffalo Soldier,” came from the Native Americans during the regiments’ deployments to the western frontier. The African American troops accepted the name with pride and honor, as they were aware of the buffalo’s fierce bravery and fighting spirit. As the first peacetime all-Black regiments in the U.S. Army Buffalo Soldiers fought alongside white regiments in many conflicts. During the almost 90 years that Buffalo Soldiers served in the U.S. Army 25 soldiers were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Buffalo Soldiers also assisted in the protection of National Parks. They helped fight wildfires, and poachers in the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and served as park rangers in the Sierra Nevada. Their heroic actions all occurred during a time when racism and segregation were barriers and a constant threat.
The Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 provides for a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to the Buffalo Soldier regiments (six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments authorized by Congress in 1866 to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces), in recognition of their vital service to the United States. This medal would be displayed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
To become a cosponsor or if you have any additional questions, please contact either Betsy Dudley (betsy.dudley@mail.house.gov) with Congresswoman Strickland or Marshall Burkhardt (marshall.burkhardt@mail.house.gov) with Congressman Andy Kim.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Strickland, Member of Congress, Andy Kim, Member of Congress
Current Cosponsors (50):
Kim (NJ), Grijalva,
Ciscomani, Norton, Moore (WI), Foushee,
Cherfilus-McCormick, Clyburn, Donalds, Neguse,
Allred, Zinke, Moulton, Pascrell, Stevens, Chu,
Ross, Panetta, Thompson (MS), Gottheimer,
Davids (KS), Blunt Rochester, Scott (GA), Johnson
(GA), Costa, Jackson (IL), Frost, Norcross, Tonko,
Valadao, Khanna, Stansbury, Davis (IL),
Goldman, Thanedar, Peltola, Fletcher, Tlaib,
LaMalfa, Watson Coleman, Quigley, Davis, Ivey,
Pallone, Williams (GA), Garamendi, DeSaulnier,
Lee (CA), Sherrill, Salinas.
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