U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) Attends Pentagon Ceremony Honoring the 60th Anniversary of Integration in the Armed Forces

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) joined Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon Ceremony on Wednesday, August 6th commemorating the 60th anniversary of integration in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Also in attendance were members of the United States Marine Corps’ Montford Point Camp Marines who heroically fought in segregated units during World War II, and are recognized as pioneers in the integration of the Marine Corps.  

Executive Order 9981, which was signed by President Harry S. Truman, bypassed Congressional opposition ending racial segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces on July 26, 1948.

In Congress, U.S. Rep. Meek was the original co-sponsor of H. Con. Res. 297 recognizing the 60th anniversary of the integration of the Armed Forces.   

“From the Revolutionary War to the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, African Americans and other minorities in uniform have excelled in service to our country,” Rep. Meek said. “Thanks to President Truman’s leadership, the U.S. Armed Forces is a pioneer in providing equal opportunity for all its uniformed members, and the military remains the truest melting pot in our society.” 

Although African Americans have served in every United States military conflict since the American Revolution, the actual fulfillment of Truman’s vision occurred 15 years after he signed the Executive Order. Once President Truman and Members of Congress stood firm for integration of the Armed Forces, African American officers in leadership positions began to expand. In 1990, Col. Marcelite J. Harris became the first woman of color promoted to the rank of Air Force brigadier general.

Rep. Meek has spearheaded an ongoing series of meetings between senior civilian and military leaders from the Pentagon and Members of the Congressional Black Caucus to increase diversity representation within the senior officer ranks of the U.S. Armed Forces. 

Recently, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) approved two amendments in the defense authorization bill to review diversity representation within the senior officer corps of the U.S. Armed Forces, and expand Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Units.

Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Congressman Kendrick B. Meek speak at the Pentagon's 60th Anniversary ceremony commemorating the integration of the Armed Forces

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek and members of the Montford Point Camp Marines review the original copy of Executive Order 9981 signed by President Harry S. Truman ending racial segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17^th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Floridian sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means, and also sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

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