Whereas George Hickman was renowned as a Tuskegee Airman,
a treasured leader in the Seattle community, and the lucky charm of Seattle
sports until his passing on August 19, 2012, at the age of 88;
Whereas George Hickman leaves behind a loving wife of 57
years, Doris, 4 children, Regina, Sherie, Vincent, and Shauneil, 3
grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild;
Whereas George Hickman served as a Tuskegee Airman and was
one of the first African-American fighter pilots trained for World War
II;
Whereas George Hickman served in the United States Army
Air Corps from 1943 to 1945;
Whereas the honorable service of George Hickman and the
other Tuskegee Airmen directly led to the desegregation of the Armed Forces of
the United States;
Whereas George Hickman received the Congressional Gold
Medal in 2007 with his fellow Tuskegee Airmen;
Whereas George Hickman was a special guest along with
nearly 200 other Tuskegee Airmen at the 2009 inauguration of President Barack
Obama;
Whereas George Hickman worked as a B-52 engineer for
Boeing from 1955 until his retirement in 1984;
Whereas George Hickman was a beloved usher at University
of Washington athletic events for more than 40 years; and
Whereas George Hickman also was a fan favorite as an usher
at Seattle Seahawks games for nearly a decade: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
(1)commends the long
and loving life of George Hickman, his service to the United States as a
Tuskegee Airman, and his role as an aviation pioneer;
(2)recognizes the
service George Hickman performed for his country and his significance as a role
model for African-American military pilots;
(3)recognizes the
contributions of the greatest generation who fought for the freedoms of the
people of the United States; and
(4)respectfully
requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this
resolution for appropriate display to Doris Hickman, the University of
Washington Athletic Department, and the Seattle Seahawks organization.