[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 1997

  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest sense 
of pride that I rise today, on the floor of the U.S. House of 
Representatives, to honor the Tuskegee Airmen who earned a glorious 
place in history through their heroic actions during World War II.
  Due to the rigid pattern of racial segregation that prevailed in the 
United States during World War II, the War Department began an isolated 
program in 1941 to train black Americans as military pilots. Primary 
flight training was conducted by the Division of Aeronautics of 
Tuskegee Institute located near the town of Tuskegee, AL. The Tuskegee 
Airmen were the first African-American aviators to serve in the U.S. 
Armed Forces.
  The first class of Tuskegee Airmen was trained to be fighter pilots 
for the famous 99th Fighter Squadron, slated for combat duty in North 
Africa. Additional pilots were assigned to the 322d Fighter Group which 
flew combat along with the 99th Squadron from bases in Italy. By the 
end of the war, 992 men had graduated from pilot training at Tuskegee, 
450 of whom were sent overseas for combat assignment. During the same 
period, approximately 150 lost their lives while in training or on 
combat flights.
  The Tuskegee Airmen were revered because of their reputation for not 
losing bombers to enemy fighters. During the course of World War II, 
they flew more than 1,500 combat missions, and downed a remarkable 261 
enemy aircraft. In addition, this fearless squadron flew over 140 
flying missions without relief. Led by Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the 
first black general in the Air Force, these unsung heroes flew every 
mission as if it were their personal task to demonstrate the equality 
of all people, regardless of color or creed.
  Mr. Speaker, on July 31, 1997, the Arrowhead Credit Union, Inland 
Empire African-American Chamber of Commerce, Phenix Information Center, 
and Westside Action Group will form a partnership to honor the Tuskegee 
Airmen in San Bernardino, CA. On this special occasion, I ask my 
colleagues to join me and local civic organizations in my congressional 
district in saluting these men for their unsurpassed bravery and 
patriotism in putting their lives on the line overseas while 
confronting racial injustice at home. We recognize their sacrifice and 
honor them for their service to our country.

                          ____________________