[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E997-E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING TUSKEGEE AIRMEN AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN CREATING AN 
                   INTEGRATED UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2004

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the 
Tuskegee Airmen for their service, sacrifice and dedication for our 
country during World War II.
  The National Airman's Association, an organization comprised of 
African-American pilots,

[[Page E998]]

along with then Senator Harry Truman worked to allow Black pilots to 
serve in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. This laid the foundation 
of the forming of the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were the 
first African-American pilots in any military branch. Prior to their 
arrival blacks were continuously excluded from aviation training 
programs in the military. But they proved to be the equal of white 
pilots.
   Under the command of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., who later became 
the Air Force's first Black General, the Tuskegee Airmen fought in the 
aerial war over North Africa, Sicily and Europe. Tuskegee pilots 
received hundreds of Air Medals, and more than 150 Distinguished Flying 
Crosses. More importantly, and most impressively, none of the bombers 
they escorted was lost to enemy fighters. Their lasting legacy of the 
Tuskegee Airmen is the desegregation of the Air Force.
  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.
  When we remember the ``Greatest Generation'' and recall with 
appreciation the sacrifice they made to preserve our freedoms and 
guarantee our rights, we must include the Tuskegee Airmen. It is 
important to remember our history and they played a large part creating 
it. Without them it would have been more difficult for the United 
States, and our allies, to be victorious and because of this we owe 
them a large debt of gratitude.

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