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| 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. |