NEW YORK – Walter Smith, publisher of the New York
Beacon, and Miatta Haj publisher of the Philadelphia
Observer two widely read African American weekly
newspapers today endorsed Joe DioGuardi for the U.
S. Senate.  

While serving in the U.S. Congress, DioGuardi
introduced legislation to award the Medal of Honor to
deserving African Americans who served on active
duty in World Wars I or II.

“This is no partisan issue,” Smith said, “this is a
lingering racial issue that should have been settled
years ago.”

Brave African American men sacrificed their lives
during the two world wars to prove they were more
that 3/5th of a person, their loyalty, patriotism, and
worthiness for equal treatment in the United States.  
Members of the 369th infantry division fought the
Germans along side the French in 1918 and was
recognized for their patriotism and awarded France’s
highest medals, the Croix de Guerre, the
Distinguished Service Cross, and recommended that
America follow suit. The American government refused
to award them simply because they were Black.  It
was announced in 2003 that U.S. veterans who
helped in the liberation of France during World War II
could be eligible to receive the French Legion of
Honor Medal in the future. This medal was previously
only issued to WWI vets. The French government has
asked the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for assistance
in identifying qualified U.S. veterans for consideration
in awarding this medal. There are many African
American veterans deserving of this honor.

“Joe has proven he will hold Washington
accountable,” Smith continued. “While serving as a U.
S. Congressman, Joe urged his colleagues to award
deserving Americans the Congressional Medal of
Honor for their service.  He continued his fight when
he left Capitol Hill as well, resulting in nine African
Americans receiving the nation’s highest military
honor.  I am confident he will once again hold
Washington accountable when they misrepresent the
interests of African Americans or the State of New
York.  As such, on behalf of the New York Beacon, I
endorse Joe DioGuardi for U.S. Senate.”

“Prior to Joe’s dedicated work, no African American
who served in World War I or II had been awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honor,” said Miatta Haj,
publisher of the Philadelphia Observer.  I join this
endorsement from Philadelphia because this is a
national issue and a whole nation of African
Americans should get involved. Joe has put up a good
fight for our mistreated veterans – and he honored
their service with his own.”    

The effort culminated with the first Congressional
Medal of Honor being awarded to Corporal Freddie
Stowers in 1991 – 73 years after he gave his life for
this country.  His work on behalf of the African
American population, our nation’s military heroes, and
New Yorkers is certainly honorable.  With a proven
conservative record and a history of endorsing
justice, Joe DioGuardi has earned the endorsements
of the New York Beacon and the Philadelphia
Observer.
Before 1991, none of the 549 Congressional Medals
of Honor awarded to World War I and II military
heroes had been given to African Americans.  In
total, 1.5 million African Americans served on active
duty during that time and many had received lower
awards, but were denied the nation’s highest
military honor because of their race.  DioGuardi
introduced legislation while he was on Capitol Hill
and supported efforts when he left Congress to
award these brave service men with the honors
they had earned.

“For too long, deserving African Americans were
denied the nation’s highest honor,” said DioGuardi.  
“We had to overcome serious political and
bureaucratic obstacles as well as pure,
unadulterated racism in order to honor those who
had served three-quarters of a century prior.
Washington needs someone who will stand up for
what is right, what is honorable, despite the
political barriers and red tape. I was prepared to
stand up to Washington insiders when I
represented New York in the U.S. Congress, and I
am ready to do the same as one of New York’s two
U.S. Senators.”

Walter Smith is the founding president of the
powerful Northeast Publishers Association,
representing 20 African American weekly
newspapers in the northeast.

“I will be marshalling the forces of the Northeast
Publishers Association to work with Joe in his bid
for the US Senate” Smith said. “Seldom does a
candidate come to us with something other than
promises and rhetoric. This is an issue every African
American can relate to, and when the issue is
raised in the African American press, Joe will
become everybody’s hero.”
Two African American
newspapers endorse Joe
DioGuardi for the US Senate.