[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 150 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               PROJECT 19

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                             HON. MARY BONO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2002

  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the brave American 
civilians who volunteered to assist our allies in the fight against an 
enemy that was threatening democracy for the entire world. These 
patriotic Americans chose to enter World War II to participate in a 
mission referred to as Project 19.
  In the fall of 1941, prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, President 
Franklin D. Roosevelt met with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill 
to discuss the United States assisting Britain in its battle with 
Hitler's Reich.
  President Roosevelt responded by authorizing a secret Air Depot to be 
established and operated by American civilian volunteers in Eritrea, 
East Africa under the direction of Douglas Aircraft Company. Due to the 
fact that the U.S. had not yet entered the war and for obvious 
diplomatic reasons, Project 19 was classified as ``secret.''
  The goal of the volunteers, also referred to as ``Tech Reps'' and 
``Feather Merchants,'' was to assemble P-40's and repair hundreds of 
worn out and damaged allied aircraft, first for the Royal Air Force 
(RAF), and after America entered the conflict, B-24's and B-17's for 
the United States Army Air Corps. When this group of freedom loving 
Americans first began their volunteer mission, they helped the RAF 
repair planes that had been damaged during horrific battles. When the 
secret mission was terminated, many volunteers joined the military to 
fight alongside our allies and some of them gave the ultimate 
sacrifice, their lives.
  Many lives have been affected by the sacrifice these valiant men made 
and I believe the time has come to recognize these heroes who 
volunteered their services and their lives to their country and its 
allies.
  Mr. Speaker, as long as our Nation is served by men and women who 
place the defense of freedom above their personal safety and well being 
our Nation will endure. The men of Project 19 served with pride and 
distinction, and deserve the recognition of our Nation and this 
Congress.

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