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Minutes for HB2088 - Committee on Veterans and Military
Short Title
Directing the capitol preservation committee to develop and approve plans for a mural honoring the 1st Kansas (Colored) Voluntary Infantry regiment.
Minutes Content for Thu, Jan 26, 2023
The Chairman opened the hearing on HB2088.
The Revisor briefed the Committee on the contents of this bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 1)
The Chairman recognized Representative Winn as the first proponent. (Attachment 2) According to Representative Winn this bill directs the Capitol Preservation Committee to develop and approve plans for a mural honoring the 1st Kansas Colored Voluntary Infantry Regiment and to create a mural fund for the purpose of financing the creation or installation of the mural. She concluded by saying "a mural honoring this Regiment will not only honor the sacrifices of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry, but will also further recognize Kansas' role in holding the union together." She stood for questions.
The next proponent was Patrick Zollner. (Attachment 3) He said the 1st Kansas Colored Voluntary Infantry regiment was often referred to as the "first to serve." He said Kansas was the first northern state to recruit, train and send black soldiers into combat during the war between the states. He gave some background on the plans for a mural honoring this regiment to be placed in the Statehouse. He said this bill will allow a project that was started over twenty years ago to be completed. He stood for questions.
Chester Owens was the next proponent. (Attachment 4) Mr. Owens talked about the majority of the regiment were escaped slaves from Missouri and Arkansas. He said President Lincoln had not approved recruiting blacks for enlistment so the regiment was recruited without federal authorization and against the wishes of the Secretary of War. According to Mr. Owens the 1st Kansas colored Infantry was the first black troop to engage the Confederate Army and a mural of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry would depict the bravery of these men. He stood for questions.
The last proponent was Scott Schneider. (Attachment 5) He said while he was doing some research he realized how intertwined many Kansas histories were and how the 1st Kansas Colored Voluntary Infantry was a uniquely Kansas story. It was written in many historical documents that the regiments were mustered without federal authorization. He said the 1st Kansas Colored Voluntary Infantry fought for an idea that continues to this day. He concluded by saying this bill should pass and Kansas should be proud of those who sacrificed for our state.
After all questions were answered Chairman Ellis closed the hearing on HB2088.
Announcements
The Chairman reminded the members that it is a violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act to correspond with the majority of committee members outside of a public committee meeting. He reminded them that if they received an email addressed to the majority of committee members to not respond.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 31st when the Committee will hear some bills and do final action on HB2088.
