Cleaver's Bill to Honor WWI Veterans Included in NDAA, Passes House of Representatives

(Washington, D.C.) – Yesterday, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Congressman French Hill (R-AR), Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced that the World War I Valor Medals Review Act had been included in the House and Senate-negotiated Conference Report for the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to undertake a review of valor medals awarded to minority veterans during WWI to determine whether any should receive the Medal of Honor. The language encourages DOD to conduct this review in consultation with the Valor Medals Review Task Force, a joint project of the Congressionally-established World War I Centennial Commission and Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, which has conducted extensive research to identify WWI veteran service records for this review.

"Today, we take an important step in righting the wrongs of the past," said Congressman Cleaver. "While the nation may have failed to appreciate the bravery and sacrifices made by these servicemembers in their time, the passage of this legislation ensures that they will receive the honors that are long overdue. I want to thank Rep. Hill for his bipartisan support and his help in fighting to get these veterans the recognition they deserve. It may be too late for those who fought to protect our freedom, but it will mean the world to their families."

"In October 2018, working with Dr. Brian Mitchell from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, my office presented the family of Corporal Leroy Johnston medals he earned but did not receive for his service in World War I because, like many soldiers of that era, Corporal Johnston was a victim of discrimination," said Congressman Hill. "The World War I Valor Medals Review Act provides an opportunity to correct this injustice for countless American heroes and their families. This bill ensures that minorities who served in World War I are honored with the recognition they deserve on behalf of a grateful nation."

"Minority WWI veterans who demonstrated the highest acts of bravery deserve to be recognized with the Medal of Honor," Senator Blunt said. "While we can't undo the discrimination these heroes faced in their lifetimes, we can do the right thing now by making sure they receive the honor they're due. I appreciate the important efforts by the Valor Medals Review Task Force, with the support of Park University, to ensure veterans who were wrongly denied our nation's highest military honor will finally be acknowledged for their heroic actions."

"Hundreds of thousands of minority Veterans served their country during World War I, and their efforts were essential to our victory. But for far too long, their sacrifice has not received the recognition it deserves," said Senator Van Hollen. "William Butler, an African American Veteran from Salisbury, was recognized with the Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Distinguished Service Cross, and a recommendation for the Medal of Honor – but he never received that medal before his death. This legislation is designed to ensure that cases like William Butler's will get a fair review. I was proud to fight for the inclusion of these crucial provisions in the NDAA so that William Butler and countless others have the opportunity to be honored."

"We appreciate the leadership and support of Representatives Hill, Cleaver and others to formalize this Valor Medals Review. This effort, uniting members from both parties and across state lines, reflects the deep commitment of House Members to serve those who serve us," said Park University President Greg Gunderson, Ph.D. "Park University's George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War will work carefully and diligently over the next five years to review individual service records of these World War I heroes."

More background on the World War I Valor Medals Review Act:

The bill was included in Section 548 of the House and Senate-negotiated Conference Report for the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are original cosponsors of the Senate bill, and Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) are original cosponsors of the House bill.

This bill is endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, American GI Forum, and Congressional Black Caucus Veteran's Braintrust.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matthew Helfant at 202-225-4535 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.