SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers, an historic group of African American service members, Calif. Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) and Senator Isadore Hall (D–South Bay), Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, will host a reception and present Senate Concurrent Resolution 128 on Monday, June 6, 2016. See attached flyer.
What: Senate Floor Presentation of SCR 128 & reception to Honor & Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers – Historic African American Service Members
Who: Senator Tony Mendoza & Senator Isadore Hall & Members & Descendants of the Buffalo Soldiers
Where: State Senate Chambers
When: Monday, June 6, 2016
Reception – 12:30 p.m., State Capitol Room 211
Senate Floor Presentation of SCR 128 – 2 p.m.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact John Mann at 916-634-9375.
SCR 128 celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers, an historic group of African American service members established on July 28, 1866, by an Act of Congress. It was officially known as the 9th and 10th Calvary regiment and was comprised of former slaves, freemen, and black Civil War soldiers. The Buffalo Soldiers were the first African Americans to serve in the United States Army during peacetime.
During the latter period of the nineteenth century, they were assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, and other areas of the Midwest, where they endeavored to maintain order between Native Americans and the, settlers arriving in those areas, built forts and roads, patrolled borders, and protected mail coaches and railroad construction crews. When the campaigns against Native Americans ended in the 1890s, the Buffalo Soldiers went on to fight in Cuba during the 1898 Spanish-American War and served as Park Rangers in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.
“I am honored to recognize the great accomplishments and service of the Buffalo Soldiers. These men made history by breaking barriers and serving our country with honor and distinction during war and peacetime under tremendously challenging circumstances,” said Senator Tony Mendoza. “I thank their families and descendants for sharing their inspiring history and legacy with all Californians.”
Senator Tony Mendoza, a Los Angeles native and former elementary school teacher in East Los Angeles, represents the 32nd Senate District encompassing portions of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
