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NC Rep. Valerie Foushee Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation Recognizing Service of Buffalo Soldiers

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley
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WASHINGTON – July 28th marked the 139th anniversary of forming the first regular U.S. Army regiments composed of African American soldiers. In honor of their service to our country, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (D-NC-4) is a cosponsor of H.R. 1222, the Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act, which will award a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Congress, to the legendary Buffalo soldier regiments.

In July 1866, Congress passed the Army Organization Act, authorizing the formation of infantry and cavalry regiments of former slaves to serve in the U.S. Army. These all-Black regiments served in major conflicts, including the Plains Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, the Mexican Expedition, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. 

The nickname “Buffalo Soldier” came from the Native Americans during the regiments’ deployments to the western frontier. Buffalo Soldiers wore buffalo hide to protect against the harsh winters in the areas they were fighting. Because of their tightly curled hair, they reminded Native Americans of the bison, hence their name. 

The African American troops accepted the name with pride and honor, as they were aware of the buffalo’s fierce bravery and fighting spirit. Buffalo Soldiers adopted the bison as the design for their crest and the motto, “Ready and Forward,” symbolizing their courage.

As the first peacetime all-Black regiments in the U.S. Army, Buffalo Soldiers fought alongside white regiments in many conflicts. During the almost 90 years that Buffalo Soldiers served in the U.S. Army, 25 were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Buffalo Soldiers in Cuba, most with the distinctive “Montana Peak,” which became the standard for the current National Park Ranger hat. (Photo: Library of Congress)

Buffalo Soldiers also assisted in protecting National Parks. They helped fight wildfires and poachers in the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and served as park rangers in the Sierra Nevada. Their heroic actions all occurred during a time when racism and segregation were barriers and constant threats. 

The Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act provides for a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to the Buffalo Soldier regiments (six all-Black cavalry and infantry regiments authorized by Congress in 1866 to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces) in recognition of their vital service to the United States. This medal would be displayed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. 

Current Cosponsors (50): Kim (NJ), Grijalva, Ciscomani, Norton, Moore (WI), Foushee, Cherfilus-McCormick, Clyburn, Donalds, Neguse, Allred, Zinke, Moulton, Pascrell, Stevens, Chu, Ross, Panetta, Thompson (MS), Gottheimer, Davids (KS), Blunt Rochester, Scott (GA), Johnson (GA), Costa, Jackson (IL), Frost, Norcross, Tonko, Valadao, Khanna, Stansbury, Davis (IL), Goldman, Thanedar, Peltola, Fletcher, Tlaib, LaMalfa, Watson Coleman, Quigley, Davis, Ivey, Pallone, Williams (GA), Garamendi, DeSaulnier, Lee (CA), Sherrill, and Salinas.