LRB-2320/5
JS:kaf:km
1997 - 1998 LEGISLATURE
March 13, 1997 - Introduced by Representatives Turner, Williams, Musser,
Schneider, Albers, Black, Bock, Boyle, Dobyns, Duff, Gard, Goetsch, Green,
Gronemus, Grothman, Hanson, Hasenohrl, Kreuser, Ladwig, Lazich, J.
Lehman, Linton, Lorge, Nass, Notestein, Owens, Plouff, R. Potter, Riley,
Robson, Ryba, Staskunas, Vander Loop, R. Young
and Kelso, cosponsored by
Senators Moen, Breske, Buettner, Clausing, Cowles, Drzewiecki, Moore,
Plache, Welch, Wineke
and Wirch, by request of The National Association
for Black Veterans and Vietnam Veterans of America. Referred to Committee
on Rules.
AJR38,1,1 1Relating to: commending African-American veterans.
AJR38,1,42 Whereas, former Lieutenant Vernon Baker, now a resident of northern Idaho,
3is the first and only living African-American veteran of World War II to receive our
4nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor; and
AJR38,1,65 Whereas, 6 other African-American veterans of World War II have now also
6been awarded posthumous Medals of Honor; and
AJR38,1,97 Whereas, although 1,700,000 African-Americans served in World War II,
8during that war none received one of the 432 Medals of Honor awarded for heroism
9in combat; and
AJR38,1,1210 Whereas, military historians have concluded that racist attitudes and the
11segregation of African-Americans during World War II were the reasons no Medals
12of Honor were given earlier to African-American heroes; and
AJR38,1,1513 Whereas, during World War II Lt. Vernon Baker was a member of the U.S.
14army's renowned 92nd Infantry, called the Buffalo Division, which was composed
15entirely of African-Americans; and
AJR38,1,1716 Whereas, while stationed in Italy Lt. Vernon Baker and his platoon led the fight
17to capture Castle Aghinolfi, a German stronghold, on April 5, 1945; and
AJR38,2,3
1Whereas, during this battle Lt. Vernon Baker destroyed 5 German
2machine-gun nests and an entire German bunker, and shot several other German
3soldiers in the midst of battle; and
AJR38,2,74 Whereas, Lt. Vernon Baker and his fallen comrades; Staff Sgt. Edward Carter,
5Jr., Lt. John Fox, Pfc. Willy James, Jr., Staff Sgt. Ruben Rivers, Lt. Charles Thomas
6and Pvt. George Watson; were awarded their Medals of Honor by President Clinton
7in a White House ceremony on Monday, January 10, 1997; now, therefore, be it
AJR38,2,14 8Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the
9Wisconsin legislature salute former Lieutenant Vernon Baker and his fellow
10African-American soldiers for their deeds of heroism over 50 years ago and offer
11them the greatest gratitude possible for giving years of their lives, and in many
12instances giving up their lives, in the service of their country, and do hold them up
13for all generations to revere as great patriots of the highest order, worthy of
14emulation by all; and, be it further
AJR38,2,16 15Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint
16resolution to former Lieutenant Vernon Baker.
AJR38,2,1717 (End)
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