Bill Text: IL HR0612 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Edwin J. Fizer and the members of the Montford Point Marines on the occasion of receiving the Congressional Gold Medal from the United States Congress on October 25, 2011.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-11-09 - Resolution Adopted [HR0612 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR0612-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are pleased to congratulate Edwin J. Fizer and
the members of the Montford Point Marines on the occasion of
receiving the Congressional Gold Medal from the United States
Congress on October 25, 2011; and
WHEREAS, When the United States entered World War II in
December of 1941, Edwin Fizer, a native of New Orleans,
Louisiana, joined approximately 20,000 other recruits who
became the first African-Americans to enlist in the United
States Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, Edwin Fizer left segregated Louisiana to begin
boot camp, only to be met with the full hostility of his drill
instructors at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina; despite constant
insults and insidious racism, he underwent training in field
artillery and anti-aircraft weapons at Montford Point, a strip
of land near Camp Lejeune that was used to train
African-American soldiers during the war; through his efforts,
he rose to the rank of Sergeant, which was the highest rank an
African-American could earn during that era; and
WHEREAS, After basic training, Edwin Fizer was retained at
Montford Point, along with 300 fellow Marines who comprised the

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52nd Composite Defense Battalion; other soldiers at Montford
Point were assembled into Ammo Depot Companies, which were
eventually assigned to Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and other
areas of combat in the Pacific; in early 1944, the entire 52nd
Battalion shipped out, making their first landing at the
Marshall Islands; the battalion was later sent to the Mariana
Islands, about 400 miles from Japan; and
WHEREAS, In spite of their bravery under fire and
unwavering devotion to victory, Edwin Fizer and his fellow
Montford Point Marines were subjected to racism wherever they
went; military transportation remained segregated to the
extent that black Marines were even ordered to give up their
seats to German prisoners of war; food service was often
refused and threats and racial epithets were commonly used to
taunt them; and
WHEREAS, After the end of World War II in 1945, Edwin Fizer
was discharged, returning to New Orleans where Jim Crow
remained alive and well; although he served his country with
honor, he found little support from the military as he sought
to make his transition to civilian life; he later made his way
to Chicago where, with the help of the GI Bill, he enrolled and
completed his training at the Illinois College of Optometry; he
subsequently joined the Chicago Police Department, served as a
teacher, and launched a successful business career; and

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WHEREAS, In 1965, Edwin Fizer assisted in the early
formation of the Montford Point Marine Association (MPMA); he
was also instrumental in spearheading the formation of the
Montford Point Marine Association Advisory Board, which was
established to provide fundraising assistance for MPMA's
Chicago Chapter, one of 37 Chapters nationwide; the Board has
made significant strides in raising greater public awareness
about the Montford Point Marines and the many selfless
sacrifices they made on behalf of their country; and
WHEREAS, On October 25, 2011, the United States Congress
voted to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest
civilian honor given by Congress, to the Montford Point Marines
in recognition of their service in protecting our nation; and
WHEREAS, The members of the Montford Point Marines serve as
models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people
of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate Edwin J. Fizer and the members of the Montford
Point Marines on the occasion of receiving the Congressional
Gold Medal and wish them success and happiness in the future;
and be it further

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RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Edwin Fizer as a symbol of our esteem and respect.