[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SENATOR HENRY SCHWARTZ

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge today one of 
my State's--Wyoming's--unsung heroes, Senator Henry Schwartz, who 
served our great State from 1936 to 1942.
  Senator Schwartz did much for Wyoming. But today I would like to 
focus on his efforts during the 76th session of Congress when he had 
amended the National Defense Act to establish a school specifically for 
the training of black pilots.
  While military opportunities for minorities increased after the Civil 
War--like the establishment of the famed Buffalo Soldiers who fought 
and died for our country on the western frontier--there were very few, 
if any, opportunities available in the Air Force, at that time, the Air 
Corps.
  To challenge that trend, in 1939 representatives of the African-
American community asked Congress to consider allowing blacks to be 
military pilots. The matter had been given little consideration until 
Senator Schwartz submitted an amendment to the National Defense Act 
which established a training school specifically for African Americans. 
The amendment passed with a vote of 77 to 8, and history was made.
  With the help of the Senator from Wyoming, legends like Benjamin O. 
Davis, Jr., America's first black Air Force general and commander of 
the 99th Pursuit Squadron--also known as The Tuskegee Airmen--was given 
a chance to serve this country.
  Past and future aviators, from astronauts to fighter pilots, will 
continue to rise in the defense of America because of Henry Schwartz's 
work.
  So today I rise to acknowledge the work of Senator Henry Schwartz and 
sincerely thank him. His genuine belief in affording all Americans the 
opportunity to achieve is his legacy to this Nation.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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