2007 Senate Resolution 25
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Mr. Booker Townsell for fighting for fair and equal justice.
Whereas, the late Mr. Booker Townsell was recently exonerated of an unjust 1944 court-martial by the United States Army and has since received an honorable discharge following a recent review of the case; and
Whereas, Mr. Booker Townsell was court-martialed with 27 other African-American soldiers stationed at Fort Lawton in Seattle, Washington, who were accused of lynching an Italian prisoner of war that resulted in a two-year incarceration and dishonorable discharge for Private Townsell; and
Whereas, Mr. Booker Townsell and the other soldiers' cause was championed by author Jack Hamann who wrote the recently released book, On American Soil: How Justice Became a Casualty of World War II, resulting in a bipartisan call in the United States Congress by Congressman Jack McDermott of Seattle, Washington, and Congressman Duncan Hunter of California for a review of the wrongful convictions; and
Whereas, Mr. Booker Townsell's family has worked tirelessly to clear Booker's name by uniting with Mr. Hamann, Congressmen McDermott and Hunter, and officials with the United States Army to have the case reviewed with new evidence which resulted in a righteous decision not only for Mr. Townsell, but provided a precedent for all the black soldiers wrongly convicted; and
Whereas, Mr. Booker Townsell made his homegoing in 1984, at the age of 69, but the legacy of his service has been redeemed by his wife, Delores, his children, Jerome Edwards, Marion Williamson, Carol Bialock, and Sharon Townsell, and his grandchildren, Lashell Drake, George Greffenreid, Che Williamson, Carmen Johnson, and Tamiko Greffenreid; and
Whereas, the adoption of this senate resolution is supported not only by the senate, but also by members of the assembly, including specifically Representatives Young, Grigsby, Turner, Zepnick, Sheridan, and Toles; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, That the members of the Wisconsin senate congratulate Mr. Booker Townsell and his family for fighting for fair and equal justice, and in the process returning honor to the families of 28 unjustly prosecuted African-American soldiers at Fort Lawton.
