Tag Archives: Budget

~ Culture & History

Freddie Stowers ~ Honor and recognition Long Overdue – Black History


NMAAHC -- National Museum of African American History and Culture

Lonnie Bunch, museum director, historian, lecturer, and author, is proud to present A Page from Our American Story, a regular on-line series for Museum supporters. It will showcase individuals and events in the African American experience, placing these stories in the context of a larger story — our American story.

A Page From Our American Story

Grave of Cpl Freddie Stowers
Grave of CPL Freddie Stowers
at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery
in France.

Freddie Stowers, the grandson of a South Carolina slave, holds a unique spot in America’s pantheon of war heroes — as the only African American awarded the Medal of Honor for service in World War I. Stowers’ story, however, must be told in two parts.

The first part of the story is his act of heroism in 1918; the second part is that it took more than 72 years before Stowers finally received the recognition he was due.

The United States was the last major combatant to enter World War I, the “war to end all wars.” The conflict began in Europe in 1914, but in the U.S., isolationist sentiments were strong resulting in a foreign policy of non-intervention. However, in April 1917, after a German U-boat sank the British ship Lusitania, killing 128 Americans on board, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. Three months later, on July 3, 1917, American troops landed in France.

Corporal Freddie Stowers came to France as part of the all-black Company C, 371st Regiment, 93rd Division that deployed in September, 1918. His service in France was short but courageous and memorable.

More than 50 years after the Civil War, America’s military was still segregated. The French, however, had no such rules, and Stowers and Company C were sent to the front lines to serve alongside French troops.

On September 28, just days after arriving in France, Stowers’ company was in the midst of an attack on Hill 188, Champagne Marne Sector, France, when enemy forces appeared to be giving up.

According to the War Department, German soldiers emerged from their trenches waving a white flag, arms in the air — military actions that signal surrender. It was a ruse, however. As Americans, including Cpl. Stowers, went to capture the “surrendering” Germans, another wave of the enemy arose and opened fire.

Very quickly, Company C’s lieutenant and non-commissioned officers were killed in the fight. This left the 21-year-old Stowers in command. Without hesitation, he implored his men to advance on the Germans.

Stowers would be mortally shot during the exchange. Wounded and dying, Stowers continued to fight on, inspiring his men to push the enemy back. With Stowers leading the counter-attack, Americans took out an enemy machine gun position and went on to capture Hill 188.

Following the battle, Stowers’ commanding officer nominated him for the Medal of Honor, but the nomination was never processed. The Pentagon said the paperwork was misplaced. Some raise the possibility that the nomination wasn’t misplaced at all, but deliberately lost. They point to the fact that American troops were segregated and suggest that racial bias in the military might be the reason for Stowers’ missing paperwork.

The final part of Freddie Stowers’ story begins in 1990. As the Department of Defense began to modernize its data systems, it ordered a review of all battlefield medal nominations. When Stowers’ recommendation was found, the Pentagon quickly took action to give the corporal the long overdue recognition and honor he deserved.

Freddie Stowers MOH Ceremony in 1991.
After the posthumous presentation of the Medal of Honor
to the sisters of Corporal (CPL) Freddie Stowers by
President George H. W. Bush, Mrs. Barbara Bush and
Mary Bowens admire the Medal of Honor certificate.
Ms Bowens is CPL Stowers’ sister. His other sister
Georgina Palmer (far left) looks on. CPL Stowers is the
only Black American to receive the Medal for action during
World War I. Photo: Robert Ward, DOD PA, April 4, 1991.

On April 24, 1991, more than 72 years after Stowers made the ultimate sacrifice for his nation, his sisters Georgiana Palmer and Mary Bowens, 88- and 77-years-old at the time, were presented his Medal of Honor by President George H. W. Bush.

Long before Stowers was honored by his nation, he, along with other members of Company C, received recognition from the French government: “For extraordinary heroism under fire.” Stowers and his unit received the Croix de Guerre – the French War Cross — the highest military medal France awards to allied soldiers.

Prior to World War I, 49 African Americans had been awarded the Medal of Honor, including 25 men who fought for the Union in the Civil War. There were 119 Medals of Honor recipients in World War I, with Stowers being the only African American. His long overdue recognition in 1991 is a small but important sign of the progress we as a nation have made.

Lonnie Bunch, Director All the best,
Lonnie Bunch
Director

P.S. We can only reach our $250 million goal with your help. I hope you will consider making a donation or becoming a Charter Member today.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the newest member of the Smithsonian Institution’s family of extraordinary museums.

 

The museum will be far more than a collection of objects. The Museum will be a powerful, positive force in the national discussion about race and the important role African Americans have played in the American story — a museum that will make all Americans proud.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Attacks on choice and workers’ rights …. a year later


A Repost …

Lowering minimum wage, weakening workers’ comp, and restricting a women’s right to choose. Are these your values?

Since Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon gave the Senate Majority to Senate Republicans, Republicans have gotten bolder – voting for far-right, ideological legislation.1

Rodney Tom’s Senate Majority has launched an assault on our state’s minimum wage.2 They’ve passed a profit-motivated bill attacking workers’ comp – even though voters rejected changes to the system in 2010.3

And while Rodney Tom promises a more open debate on social issues, the result is a radical Republican bill attacking a woman’s right to choose, in a state firmly committed to choice.4

These are not Democratic values – These are not Washington values. Co-sign our letter telling Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon they don’t belong in the Democratic Party.

In 2012, the people of Washington overwhelmingly voted Democrat, because they share Democratic values. They believe in fighting for our middle class and progressive social issues, like marriage equality and a woman’s right to choose.

Now Senate Republicans, empowered by Senators Tom and Sheldon, are pulling a fast one on our state – introducing and passing ideological bills that advance their conservative agenda.

This is nothing short of a coup, made possible by Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon.

Almost 4000 Democrats have already signed our letter. Please join them and send a message to Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon today.

Sincerely,

Jaxon Ravens
Executive Director
Washington State Democrats

1 http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020276029_senaterepublicansprintrop03xml.html?src=FuseT&utm_source=buffer&buffer_share=40ed2
2 http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2020294703_trainingwagexml.html
3 http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130209/OPINION03/702099971
4 http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/feb/06/dozens-testify-on-abortion-notification/

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS: the House Republicans – the Senate Democrats


the Senate Convenes at 2:30pmET November 14, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • The filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.3525, the Sportsmen’s Act is 4:00pm on Wednesday.
  • During Tuesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on S.3525. Under the rule, that cloture vote will occur on Thursday morning.

The filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.3525, Sportsmen’s Act of 2012, is 4:00pm today. If your senator has a germane amendment and would like to preserve their ability to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it at the desk for you.

The Senate has reached an agreement that at 4:30pm today the motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be agreed to; and that there be 60 minutes for debate divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, on the motion to invoke cloture on S.3414; and that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to the cloture vote on S.3414, upon reconsideration.

As a result of this agreement, at approximately 5:30pm today the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.3414, Cybersecurity Act of 2012, upon reconsideration.

5:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.3414, Cybersecurity Act of 2012, upon reconsideration;

Not Invoked: 51-47

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, upon reconsideration; Not Invoked: 51-47

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.6118, the Taking Essential Steps for Testing Act of 2012 (TEST Act).

Passed H.R.6131, a bill to extend the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006, and for other purposes (SAFEWEB Act) by voice vote.

Adopted S.Res.596, a resolution permitting the solicitation of donations in the Senate buildings for the relief of victims of Superstorm Sandy.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

—————————————————————————

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 14, 2012.

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

10:00:12 A.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:18 A.M.   The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:08 A.M.   MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:16:49 A.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:50 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 14.
12:00:58 P.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Donna Kafer, Arizona Legislative Chaplaincy, Peoria, Arizona.
12:02:21 P.M.   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:03:26 P.M.   Walz of MN to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:49 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:27:20 P.M.   The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:28:11 P.M. H.R. 2606 Mr. Amodei moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
12:28:27 P.M. H.R. 2606 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2606.
12:33:54 P.M. H.R. 2606 On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
12:33:55 P.M. H.R. 2606 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:34:19 P.M. H.R. 6570 Mr. Garrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 6570 — “To amend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to consolidate certain CBO reporting requirements.”
12:34:35 P.M. H.R. 6570 Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:34:38 P.M. H.R. 6570 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6570.
12:41:30 P.M. H.R. 6570 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
12:41:33 P.M. H.R. 6570 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:42:24 P.M. H.R. 2453 Mr. Luetkemeyer moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.
12:42:36 P.M. H.R. 2453 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2453.
12:48:33 P.M. H.R. 2453 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
12:49:17 P.M. H.R. 6116 <MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Coble moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 6116 — “To amend the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to provide for direct appeals to the United States Supreme Court of decisions of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court.”
12:49:50 P.M. H.R. 6116 Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:49:55 P.M. H.R. 6116 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6116.
1:04:35 P.M. H.R. 6116 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
1:04:38 P.M. H.R. 6116 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:04:41 P.M. H.R. 6116 The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
1:05:03 P.M. H.R. 5934 Mr. Coble moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5934 — “To amend title 18, United States Code, to include certain territories and possessions of the United States in the definition of State for the purposes of chapter 114, relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.”
1:05:21 P.M. H.R. 5934 Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:05:23 P.M. H.R. 5934 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5934.
1:17:16 P.M. H.R. 5934 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:17:18 P.M. H.R. 5934 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:17:51 P.M.    that that body had agreed to the House amendment to S. 743.
1:18:16 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:18:35 P.M.   SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House : Scheduled to do only about 8days of work prior to Election2012 : the Senate led by Dems


the Senate Convened at 10:00amET September 19, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the Senate will resume consideration of S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act. The time until 12:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.  It is in order for Senator McConnell or his designee to raise a budget point of order against the substitute amendment #2789.  If a budget point of order is raised, the Majority Leader, or his designee, will be recognized for a motion to waive the applicable budget points of order.  At 12:00pm, there will be a roll call voteon the motion to waive the budget act with respect to the substitute amendment.
  • Following the roll call vote, the Majority Leader will be recognized.  Following his remarks, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, there will be an additional roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.117, the Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2013.

12:01pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to waive the Budget Act
with respect to the Murray substitute amendment #2789 to S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act: Not
Waived: 58-40

2:16pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the
motion to proceed to H.J.Res.114, the Continuing Resolution

2:16pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.117, Continuing Resolution: Invoked: 76-22

This afternoon Senator Hatch asked unanimous consent the Finance Committee be discharged from further consideration of S.J.Res.50; that there be 2 hours for debate on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution of disapproval prior to a vote on adoption of the motion to proceed.

Senator Cardin objected to the request.

S.J.Res.50: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of Family Assistance of the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to waiver and expenditure authority under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.1315) with respect to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Senator Reid asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass Calendar #504, S.3525, the Sportsmen’s Act of 2012 (Tester).  Senator Kyl objected to Senator Reid’s request.

The unofficial transcript of their remarks is below.

16:50:32 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT, WE’RE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH ALL THE

ISSUES WE HAVE. THERE ARE A FEW OF THEM, NOT TOO MANY, BUT A

FEW. BUT I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT WE — WE CAN FINISH ALL

OF OUR WORK TOMORROW. IF WE DON’T FINISH IT TOMORROW, WE’RE NOT

GOING ANYPLACE. WE’RE STAYING HERE UNTIL

TUESDAY, PROBABLY 3:00, 3:30 BECAUSE WE HAVE YOM KIPPUR ON

WEDNESDAY, BUT WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK HERE ON THURSDAY. WE HAVE

TO FINISH OUR WORK. SO THAT MEANS IF WE CAN’T WORK THINGS OUT,

WE’RE GOING TO BE HERE FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY. I KNOW THAT WE

TALK ABOUT THIS ONCE IN A WHILE AND USUALLY WE’RE ABLE TO WORK

THINGS OUT, AND I’M GLAD THAT WE ARE, BUT JUST IN CASE WE

CAN’T, NO ONE SHOULD THINK THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CATCH

AN AIRPLANE OUT OF HERE TOMORROW — I MEAN FRIDAY, I’M SORRY.

MR. PRESIDENT, I’LL BE VERY QUICK. I KNOW THAT THE ASSISTANT

LEADER FOR THE MINORITY IS HERE, AND I DON’T WANT TO TAKE A LOT

OF TIME OF HIS. THE SENATOR FROM MONTANA, SENATOR TEFER –

TESTER, HAS ASSEMBLED A BROAD PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS

BIPARTISAN IN NATURE TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF SPORTSMEN

THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. HE HAS WORKED WITH THESE GROUPS AND I

HAVE BEEN IN MEETINGS WITH HIM WHERE HE HAS TRIED TO GET THE

DEMOCRATIC SENATORS TO BACK OFF AND LET THIS PACKAGE GO FORWARD

AND THERE HAS BEEN SOME ADJUSTMENTS MADE BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS

THAT REPUBLICANS HAD AND DEMOCRATS HAD. SO I APPRECIATE VERY

MUCH HIS WORK. WHAT HIS BILL DOES, IT COMBINES ABOUT 20 BILLS

THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE SPORTSMEN COMMUNITIES AROUND THIS

COUNTRY. THEY WOULD FOSTER HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH

VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS. MORE THAN 50 NATIONAL GROUPS SUPPORT THIS.

THESE ARE SPORTSMEN AND CONSERVATION GROUPS. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE

OF LEADERSHIP THAT IS IMPORTANT IN THIS BODY, THAT WORK ON

SOMETHING THAT BRINGS TOGETHER A DISPARATE GROUP OF BILLS AND

ARE BIPARTISAN IN NATURE AND TRY TO MOVE FORWARD. WE OUGHT TO

PASS THIS PACKAGE TODAY. MR. PRESIDENT, I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT

THAT THE SENATE PROCEED TO CALENDAR NUMBER 504, S.3525, THE

SPORTSMAN ACT OF 2012, THAT IT BE READ A THIRD TIME, PASSED,

THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER BE LAID ON THE TABLE WITH NO

INTERVENING ACTION OR DEBATE AND ANY STATEMENTS RELATED TO THIS

MATTER BE PLACED IN THE RECORD AT THE APPROPRIATE PLACE AS IF

GIVEN.

{16:53:03 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: IS THERE AN OBJECTION?

{16:53:05 NSP} (MR. KYL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. KYL: MR. PRESIDENT, RESERVING THE RIGHT TO OBJECT.

{16:53:09 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE SENATOR FROM ARIZONA.

{16:53:11 NSP} (MR. KYL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. KYL: I HAD ASKED THE DISTINGUISHED MAJORITY LEADER IF I

REQUESTED AN AMENDMENT TO HIS REQUEST TO ADD A PIECE OF

LEGISLATION THAT HE AND I BOTH SUPPORT, WHETHER HE WOULD HAVE

TO OBJECT TO THAT, AND I PRESUME HIS ANSWER IS THAT HE WOULD

HAVE TO OBJECT, AND AS A RESULT, RATHER THAN DOING THAT AND

FORCING HIM TO OBJECT, I’LL SIMPLY POSE MY OBJECTION AT THIS

TIME.

{16:53:36 NSP} (THE PRESIDING OFFICER) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: OBJECTION IS HEARD.

This evening Senator Reid asked consent to vote on passage of S.3576 (Paul Foreign Aid bill), with a 60-vote threshold; S.J.Res.41 (Iran Containment), and H.J.Res.117 (CR), with a 60-vote threshold. Senator Kyl objected on behalf of Senator McCain.

Senator Reid then asked consent to go to conference on a bill extending the 2001, 2003, and 2009 tax cuts for 98% of Americans and 97% of all small businesses (H.R.8/S.3412). Senator Kyl asked Senator Reid to modify his request to take up and pass H.R.8, extends all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. Senator Reid declined to modify his request and Senator Kyl objected to the Leader’s request.

Senator Reid then asked consent to pass H.R.9, as amended by S.3521, the Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act of 2012. Senator Kyl asked Senator Reid to modify his request to add the text of H.R.8 to the Leader’s request. Senator Reid declined to modify his request and Senator Kyl objected to Senator Reid’s request.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Murray substitute amendment #2789 to S.3457, the Veterans Jobs Corps Act: Not Waived: 58-40

2)      Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.117, Continuing Resolution: Invoked: 76-22

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.562, designating the week beginning September 10, 2012 and ending on September 14, 2012 as “National Health Information Technology Week” to recognize the value of health information technology in improving health quality.

Adopted S.Res.563, Designating December 3, 2012, as “National Phenylketonuria Awareness Day”.

Adopted S.Res.564, designating the month of October 2012 as “National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month”.

Adopted S.Res.565, expressing support for the designation of October 20, 2012, as the “National Day on Writing”.

Adopted S.Res.566, designating September 29, 2012, as “National Estuaries Day”.

Adopted S.Res.567, Honoring the life and career of George Hickman.

Adopted S.Res.568, designating the week of September 16, 2012, as “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week”.

Adopted S.Res.569, Designating the week beginning October 21, 2012, as “National Character Counts Week”.

Adopted S.Res.570, Designating November 8, 2012, as “National Parents as Teachers Day”.

Discharged the Foreign Relations Committee and adopted S.Res.557, a resolution honoring the contributions of Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari as Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and in promoting the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Tibetan people.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.3576, Limitation on Foreign Assistance. (Paul)

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.5949, the FISA Amendments Extension Act.  (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

————————————————————————————————–

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on September 19, 2012.

http://www.houselive.gov/

House hearings …below

10:00 am Hearing: Examining the Role of Rwanda in the DRC InsurgencyCommittee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights
11:00 am Hearing: Trade Adjustment Assistance for U.S. Firms: Evaluating Program Effectiveness and RecommendationsCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform: Full Committee
2:30 pm Hearing: The Economic Impact of Ending or Reducing Funding for the American Community Survey and other Government StatisticsJoint Economic Committee: