[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1018 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1018

 Recognizing the remarkable achievements and patriotic service of late 
 Michigan native Captain Claude A. Rowe, Jr., the only known member of 
 the famed Tuskegee Airmen authorized to fly for two Allied countries 
                          during World War II.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 15, 2024

Mr. Thanedar submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the remarkable achievements and patriotic service of late 
 Michigan native Captain Claude A. Rowe, Jr., the only known member of 
 the famed Tuskegee Airmen authorized to fly for two Allied countries 
                          during World War II.

Whereas Captain Claude Alexander Rowe, Jr., a United States Air Force veteran, 
        Tuskegee Airman, and noble patriot whose character and deeds in life 
        merit gratitude and respectful acknowledgment from his beloved country;
Whereas, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, to Jamaican immigrants, Louise 
        Giscombe Rowe and Claude A. Rowe, Sr., Captain Rowe attended Cass 
        Technical High School, where he excelled in his studies and ran track;
Whereas at Cass Technical High School, he also participated in the school's Army 
        Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program, earning distinction as a 
        top sharpshooter in sporting competitions;
Whereas Claude's curiosity about flying and love of mathematics led him to study 
        aeronautical engineering at the Lawrence Institute of Technology (today 
        called Lawrence Technological University);
Whereas after the outbreak of World War II, he recognized the opportunity to 
        become a pilot to protect the country he dearly loved by answering the 
        call of duty and he left school to join the fight for freedom;
Whereas Claude was discouraged from joining the Army Air Corps and told he would 
        be allowed to enlist only as a kitchen worker or serve an officer as 
        their personal aide as there were institutional roadblocks for Claude 
        and all people of color pursuing their dreams in the United States 
        military;
Whereas Claude was not easily discouraged and decided to join the Royal Canadian 
        Air Force, where they would allow him to earn his pilot wings, which he 
        achieved as Sergeant pilot late in 1944;
Whereas Claude returned to the United States to join the Army Air Corps Tuskegee 
        Airmen Program in 1945, earning his pilot wings and the rank of Second 
        Lieutenant in June of 1946;
Whereas advancing through the ranks, Claude distinguished himself for his 
        capacity and skill while flying the WB-50 and B-29 Superfortress heavy 
        bombers and he fulfilled assignments to post-war Germany and Japan, 
        Korea (present-day South Korea), England, and the United States, 
        including classified assignments during the cold war;
Whereas Claude continued his professional growth by attaining expertise as one 
        of the first African Americans to graduate from the highly competitive 
        and rigorous Weather Officer school;
Whereas Claude enjoyed a 21-year career with the United States Air Force before 
        retiring in 1966 with the rank of Captain;
Whereas bringing great distinction to himself as the only known Tuskegee Airman 
        to have finished two demanding government pilot training programs and 
        earning the right to wear pilot wings from both Canada and the United 
        States, Claude was further honored by his country in 2007, when he and 
        his fellow Tuskegee Airmen were recognized for their service and awarded 
        the Congressional Gold Medal;
Whereas beyond his military service, Claude continued serving his community 
        during his successful career in the banking industry as a bank manager 
        and vice president; and
Whereas Claude loved traveling with Winifride, his wife of 67 years, spending 
        quality time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, 
        and Claude also inspired two of his daughters and one of his 
        grandchildren to serve in the United States military: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) memorializes Captain Claude A. Rowe, Jr., for his 
        illustrious record of personal and professional achievements, 
        devotion to his family and friends, and unwavering loyalty to 
        and love for his country;
            (2) remembers Captain Rowe as a transcendent hero who 
        fought for democracy, a trailblazer of the skies, and a 
        sentinel of the rights and liberties of all; and
            (3) this resolution shall be referred to as the ``Honorable 
        Captain Claude A. Rowe, Jr. Resolution''.
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