H.Con.Res. 517 (108^th): Recognizing the continuing legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers and expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the establishment of a Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month.

Whereas African-American soldiers in the 9th and 10th Cavalry regiments and the 24th and 25th Infantry regiments of the Army, referred to as ‘‘Buffalo Soldiers’’, performed outstanding service to the United States during the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, World War I, and World War II;

Whereas the Buffalo Soldiers were awarded several Congressional Medals of Honor in recognition of their contributions to the defense of the United States;

Whereas the Buffalo Soldiers established a rich tradition of professional African-American soldiers in the United States Army;

Whereas the Buffalo Soldiers served the United States with bravery and fortitude in the harshest environments and under the most difficult conditions;

Whereas the Buffalo Soldiers fought for freedoms so often denied to them;

Whereas the service of the Buffalo Soldiers has not been sufficiently memorialized;

Whereas the State of Texas has created a heritage travel and heritage educational program, called the ‘‘Texas Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Trail’’, to educate the general public about the history and importance of the Buffalo Soldiers and has designated a month each year for special recognition of the Buffalo Soldiers, the only State to do so; and

Whereas the Buffalo Soldiers remain emblems of the work of free men in defense of the United States and should be recognized for their contributions: Now, therefore, be it