# Understanding This Congressional Resolution

This is a resolution that honors the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a groundbreaking military unit made up of 855 Black women who served in World War II. The resolution doesn't create new laws or change government policy—instead, it's essentially Congress saying "we recognize and celebrate what these women accomplished." Think of it like an official commendation or thank-you note from the House of Representatives.

Here's what actually happened: During World War II, there was a massive backlog of mail piling up in Europe—some letters hadn't been delivered in over two years. The 6888th was sent to Birmingham, England in February 1945 to tackle the problem. They found rooms literally stacked floor to ceiling with undelivered mail, much of it addressed only to first names or nicknames, making it incredibly difficult to sort. Working in three shifts around the clock, these women created a system to organize the chaos and finished the job in just three months—half the estimated six-month timeline. They then moved on to France to handle similar backlogs with the same impressive results. Despite their crucial contributions and the discrimination they faced as Black women in a segregated military, their story has largely been forgotten.

This resolution simply asks Congress and the American public to remember their service during Black History Month. It acknowledges the medals they earned—including the Meritorious Unit Commendation and various campaign medals—and recognizes them as part of the "Greatest Generation." For most people, this won't have any direct practical effect on their daily lives. However, it does help ensure that these women's contributions to American history are officially recognized and remembered, which can help preserve their legacy for future generations and inspire others to learn about overlooked chapters of American military history.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and celebrating Black History Month.

Brown, Anthony G.

 <p>This resolution (1) encourages all individuals in the United States during Black History Month to celebrate U.S. history and the important accomplishments and contributions of African Americans, and (2) expresses appreciation for the contributions of and sacrifices made by the soldiers of the Women's Army Corps assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II.</p>