Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING TUSKEGEE AIRMEN DAY
______
HON. TERRI A. SEWELL
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the
Alabama State Legislature's joint resolution which recognizes March 7
as Tuskegee Airmen Day. House Joint Resolution 120 will acknowledge the
honor and valor of those Tuskegee Airmen who risked their lives in
defense of our country, despite racism, prejudice and segregation.
In 1941, a group of African American men in Tuskegee, Alabama, joined
together to form an all-African American squadron of pilots known as
the Tuskegee Airmen. This squadron fought fiercely overseas on behalf
of the United States of America during World War II, proving that
patriotism and love of country conquers even the cruelest forms of
bigotry. Segregation barred African Americans from enlisting alongside
white Americans, and prior to the Tuskegee Airmen, the United States
had never had an African American military pilot.
After being rejected from enlisting during World War I, African
Americans spent more than two decades advocating for the right to
enlist and train as military aviators. With help from the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, labor union leader
A. Philip Randolph and Judge William H. Hastie, these advocates were
successful in passing Appropriations Bill Public Law 18 with an
amendment by Senator Harry H. Schwartz of Wyoming, which designated
funds for training African American pilots. The money was then invested
in civilian flight schools willing to train African American pilots.
In June of 1941, the 99th Pursuit Squadron at Tuskegee University was
founded. The unit consisted of 47 officers and 429 enlisted men who
began primary training at Moton Field before moving to the Tuskegee Air
Field about ten miles to the west for conversion training. Tuskegee Air
Field mirrored existing all-white air fields like Maxwell Air Field
only forty miles away, providing African American pilots with the same
rigorous training as white Americans.
Major Noel F. Parrish advocated for the Tuskegee Airmen to be allowed
to enter into combat, petitioning Washington, D.C. on their behalf.
Eventually, in 1943, the Tuskegee Airmen were deemed eligible for
combat and were sent to North Africa to join the 33rd Fighter Group
under the command of Colonel William W. Momyer. Given little guidance
from experienced combat pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen flew toward Italy
where they attacked the small and strategically located volcanic island
of Pantelleria. The island eventually surrendered, and the Airmen flew
on to Sicily, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation. The men went on
to fight with heart and valor throughout World War II, proving to
America and to the entire world that African Americans were just as
capable as white Americans of serving their country. In many ways,
these men displayed even more patriotism, as they actively fought to
overcome barriers in order to serve and protect.
The Tuskegee Airmen's legacy is one that should make the state of
Alabama truly proud. These men are part of Alabama's remarkable legacy
of advocating for civil rights, proving that the determination of
African American Alabamians can charge the course of history, not only
for our country but for the entire world.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I
ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the exemplary
service of the Tuskegee Airmen, and to the Alabama State Legislature
for acknowledging their service through the passage of House Joint
Resolution 120. May we celebrate the resilience and sacrifice of the
Tuskegee Airmen not only on March 7, but every day.
____________________