Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. Tom Cole

Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of H.R. 1022, the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act, which will allow the Department of the Interior to study the role of Buffalo Soldiers and how they defended our first national parks. This is a key step in preserving the legacy of the Army's first African American infantry and cavalry units and the contributions they made to our Nation.

Although history has often overlooked the contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers, all Americans from all walks of life would benefit from learning about this often overlooked chapter in our history. The legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers dates back to post Civil War days. Although African Americans have fought with distinction in all of our country's military engagements, their future in the Army was in doubt after the Civil War. In July 1866, however, Congress passed legislation establishing two cavalry regiments and four regiments of infantrymen, later merging two, whose composition was made up entirely of black soldiers. The troopers of the 9th and 10th Cavalries developed into two of the most distinguished fighting units in the Army and who were stationed at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma in the late 1870s. While they constructed key buildings on the post that still stand today, the Buffalo Soldiers' biggest contribution was to preserve the integrity of the land-runs which are such an integral part of Oklahoma, the Sooner state's, history and identity. Their bravery and fierce fighting techniques on the battlefield inspired Native Americans to call them ``Buffalo Soldiers.''

The Buffalo Soldiers served the United States in the harshest environments and under the most difficult conditions, and preserving their legacy will ensure that the Buffalo Soldiers' service will be appropriately memorialized. The Buffalo Soldiers' story is ultimately about the triumph not just of African American troops over prejudice and injustice, but about the movement of our nation westward, and toward a more tolerant and courageous society.

As such, I support the effort to evaluate the feasibility of a great National Historic Trail along the Buffalo Soldiers' route from their historic military post at the San Francisco Presidio to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Identifying properties that could be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or designations as National Historic Landmarks will help keep the Buffalo Soldiers' story alive and bring to light, for future generations, their story of courage while serving their country.

We must all continue to work, together and as individuals, each day to make sure that our country truly is a community of all people and recognize those that came before us to make this nation strong, prosperous and free. We should never forget the challenges our predecessors faced in the creation and preservation of this great nation.