Senate Resolution No. 1543

BY: Senator COMRIE

PAYING tribute to the soldiers of the 369th
Infantry Regiment for their courage, bravery,
service and dedication to the United States Army, in
conjunction with the commemoration of the 100th
Anniversary of the commencement of World War I

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend events which evoke the historical, social and cultural
development of this great State, and to pay tribute to the memory of
individuals of remarkable courage and strength of character, whose
purposeful lives embodied the spirit of the principles upon which this
Nation was founded; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay
tribute to the soldiers of the 369th Infantry Regiment for their
courage, bravery, service and dedication to the United States Army, in
conjunction with the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the
commencement of World War I; and

WHEREAS, The 369th Infantry Regiment, formerly known as the 15th New
York National Guard Regiment, was an infantry regiment of the United
States Army National Guard during World War I and World War II; and

WHEREAS, The Regiment consisted mainly of African Americans, though
it also included a number of Puerto Rican Americans during World War II;
it was known for being the first African American regiment to serve with
the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I; and

WHEREAS, Before the 15th New York National Guard Regiment was
formed, any African American who wanted to fight in the war had to
enlist in the French or Canadian armies; the regiment was nicknamed the
Harlem Hellfighters, the Black Rattlers, and the Men of Bronze, which
was given to the regiment by the French; and

WHEREAS, The nickname Harlem Hellfighters was given to them by the
Germans due to their toughness and that they never lost a man through
capture, lost a trench or a foot of ground to the enemy; and

WHEREAS, The Harlem Hellfighters were the first all-African American
regiment which helped change the American public's opinion on African
American soldiers and paved the way for future African American
soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
pay tribute to the soldiers of the 369th Infantry Regiment for their
courage, bravery, service and dedication to the United States Army, in

conjunction with the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the
commencement of World War I; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the I.S. 109 Mock Trial Team.