Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in honor of the Buffalo Soldiers.

Summary

House Resolution 862 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in honor of the Buffalo Soldiers. The resolution highlights the historical significance of the Buffalo Soldiers, their contributions to the United States, and the previous issuance of a stamp in their honor in 1994. It urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend a new stamp to the Postmaster General.

Expected Effects

If passed, this resolution would formally express the House's desire for a commemorative stamp. While the resolution itself does not mandate the creation of a stamp, it would likely influence the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee and the Postmaster General to consider issuing one. This could lead to increased public awareness and recognition of the Buffalo Soldiers' legacy.

Potential Benefits

  • Increased awareness of the Buffalo Soldiers' contributions to American history.
  • Recognition of the service and sacrifice of African-American soldiers.
  • Promotion of cultural heritage and historical understanding.
  • Potential boost to the arts through stamp design and collection.
  • Symbolic gesture of appreciation and respect for a historically significant group.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Minimal direct economic impact.
  • Potential cost associated with designing and producing the stamp, although likely negligible.
  • Possible debate over the historical narrative and representation of the Buffalo Soldiers.
  • No direct impact on current social or political issues.
  • The resolution is non-binding, so there is no guarantee that a stamp will be issued.

Constitutional Alignment

The resolution aligns with the general principles of honoring historical contributions and promoting national unity, as expressed in the preamble of the Constitution. Specifically, it could be argued to 'promote the general Welfare' by fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of American history. The First Amendment protects the freedom of expression, and issuing a stamp can be seen as a form of government expression that does not violate any constitutional rights.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).