[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 266 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 266
Expressing support for the designation of March 27, 2025, as ``Tuskegee
Airmen Commemoration Day'', and calling on each State, the District of
Columbia, and each territory to recognize the Tuskegee Airmen for their
heroism, valor, and exemplary service to the Nation.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 27, 2025
Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
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RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of March 27, 2025, as ``Tuskegee
Airmen Commemoration Day'', and calling on each State, the District of
Columbia, and each territory to recognize the Tuskegee Airmen for their
heroism, valor, and exemplary service to the Nation.
Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen were Black pilots, aircrew, ground crew, and support
personnel who served in the Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1949;
Whereas 992 Tuskegee Airmen graduated flight training at the Tuskegee Army Air
Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, and 450 pilots deployed into combat
overseas;
Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen faced enormous adversity, from overcrowded
classrooms to bigoted officers and segregated facilities;
Whereas, during World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen flew over 15,000 combat
sorties and saw extensive action in the European and North African
theaters;
Whereas 84 Tuskegee Airmen were killed in action, 12 died during training and
noncombat missions, and 32 were taken prisoners of war after their
planes were shot down;
Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen earned 744 Air Medals, 14 Bronze Stars, and 8 Purple
Hearts;
Whereas, in 1945, Tuskegee Airmen in the 477th Bombardment Group staged a
nonviolent demonstration to desegregate the officers' club at Freeman
Field, Indiana, and their nonviolent direct action would inspire later
civil rights protesters;
Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen's battle against fascism abroad and racism at home
has been called a ``Double Victory'' and led President Truman to issue
Executive Order 9981, integrating the Armed Forces;
Whereas four Tuskegee Airmen, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Daniel ``Chappie'' James,
Lucius Theus, and Charles McGee, later became generals in the Air Force;
Whereas, in 2006, a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee
Airmen ``in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired
revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces'' was signed into law (Public
Law 109-213);
Whereas, in 2008, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site opened at Moton
Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, to commemorate and interpret the heroic
actions of the Tuskegee Airmen; and
Whereas very few Tuskegee Airmen are still alive today to share their story of
courage and bravery with younger Americans: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
designation of ``Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day''.
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