Senate Resolution No. 1666

BY: Senator SCARCELLA-SPANTON

RECOGNIZING the 369th Veterans Association,
Richmond District for its ongoing mission to
preserve the history of the 369th Infantry Regiment

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those organizations which seek to bring recognition to
important historical groups and their deeds, and in doing so, help to
ensure that the complete history of our State and Nation is preserved
and shared with present and future generations of citizens; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize the 369th Veterans Association, Richmond District for its
ongoing mission to preserve the history of the 369th Infantry Regiment;
and

WHEREAS, In the course of American military history, there are
certain infantry groups which are legendary for their unparalleled
bravery in lending their might to the defense of our Nation during times
of war, the 369th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters,
is one such group; and

WHEREAS, The 369th Infantry Regiment, famously known as the Harlem
Hellfighters, was a segregated African American unit in World War I that
became one of the most decorated and successful regiments in United
States military history; and

WHEREAS, Due to racial segregation and refusal by white United
States troops to serve with them, the United States Army assigned the
unit to the French Army; and

WHEREAS, The Harlem Hellfighters spent 191 days in frontline
trenches, more than any other American unit during the war and the
regiment was the first Allied unit to reach the Rhine River in Germany;
and

WHEREAS, Though the 369th Infantry Regiment suffered approximately
1,500 casualties, the highest of any American unit in the conflict, the
Harlem Hellfighters never lost a foot of ground or a single soldier to
capture; and

WHEREAS, Notable members of the 369th Infantry Regiment include:
Sergeant Henry Johnson who single-handedly fought off a 24-man German
raiding party with a bolo knife to save a fellow soldier for which, he
was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2015, and James Reese
Europe, a world-famous bandleader who led the 369th Regimental Band,
credited with introducing Jazz to Europe; and

WHEREAS, The 369th Infantry Regiment, was recognized at the United
States Capitol by Congress when the Congressional Gold Medal was
presented to descendants of some of the 4,000 Soldiers who served in the
Harlem Hellfighters; and

WHEREAS, The 369th Veterans Association is a Federally Chartered
non-profit organization, made up of black and white former servicemen
and women who served with the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps,
Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines; and

WHEREAS, Founded on October 6,1953, by a small group of veterans who
had served with the 369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery and affiliated units,
during World War II, the 369th Veterans Association has districts
throughout New York and the United States; and

WHEREAS, The 369th Veterans Association, Richmond District has vowed
to keep the history of the 369th Infantry Regiment alive through its
tireless community involvement; and

WHEREAS, With the motto "In the community for the community", the
369th Veterans Association, Richmond District maintains an outreach
program with Girls Scout troops 5/526 and 75/312, sponsors a student
each year for a tour of the HBCU campus, and provides a member at Fort
Hamilton to assist Veterans in obtaining their health benefit cards; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is very pleased to have this
opportunity to express its gratitude to the men and women of the United
States Armed Forces for their tremendous sacrifices made for our Nation
and for the benefit of all Americans; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the 369th Veterans Association, Richmond District, for its
ongoing mission to preserve the history of the 369th Infantry Regiment;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the 369th Veterans Association, Richmond District.