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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 3, 2023 03:54 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Stephen Kinsey and Rep. Joe Webster |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | National Guard's Birthday |
| Originally organized as a militia in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 13, 1636, the National Guard eventually expanded to all 50 states of the country. These “Citizen Soldiers” made up of both soldiers and airmen continue to promote high standards of professionalism and diverse proficiency that has evolved over three centuries of working in various communities across the United States. Also of importance, the National Guard formed one of the first exclusively Black units in U.S. military history in 1863, known as the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment. The group’s creation was met with mixed reactions at the time. However, the unit serves to this day and the first Black person to receive a Medal of Honor, William Harvey Carney, hailed from the 54th. Second to only the U.S. Army in terms of the number of service members, today’s National Guard provides relief from natural disasters and other hazards. The Guard has also evolved into an active-ready force deploying around the world to assist in the protection of the United States’ interests abroad. Please join us in celebrating the National Guard on its 387th birthday and the important role it plays in keeping us safe both domestically and abroad. |
Introduced as HR138