[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 29 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. WILLOR BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2007

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Willor 
Brown of Ypsilanti, Michigan. This April, Mr. Brown along with the 
other members of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen, will be honored with the 
Congressional Gold Medal. This great recognition comes after the 
Tuskegee Airmen overcame discrimination, prejudice and institutional 
segregation bring about the full integration of the Armed Forces.
  During World War II Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. As a 
fighter pilot, his mission was to ensure the safety of American bombers 
as they came back to base from missions over Germany and Italy. Mr. 
Brown and the other members of the Tuskegee Airmen performed this job 
with both bravery and great success, as evidence by the fact that not a 
single bomber was lost to enemy fire during the Tuskegee Airmen's 
service. This service was even more remarkable given that fact that 
they continually faced the humiliation of segregation, even as they 
excelled beyond the expectations of any unit.
  After seeing an article about aviation at Tuskegee, Alabama, Mr. 
Brown used his skill in math to pass the Army's program tests. He 
arrived in Alabama in December 1942, in time to have the great honor of 
meeting Tuskegee University's founder George Washington Carver. Mr. 
Brown studied at Tuskegee for nearly a year before he had the 
opportunity to serve overseas in Europe.
  Although Willor Brown and the rest of the Tuskegee Airmen served our 
Nation bravely in combat during World War II, they also helped to bring 
about the necessary integration of our Armed Forces. The Tuskegee 
Airmen wore our Nation's uniform without the honor given to other 
service members. However, with tremendous success, remarkable service 
and amazing accomplishments, the Tuskegee Airmen shattered the notions 
of inferiority and opened up the opportunities the following 
generations of minority service members have had access to. The social 
injustice and setbacks they faced at home could not stop the Airmen 
from fulfilling their mission and their service abroad changed the 
perceptions of their place at home.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is a great honor; Mr. Brown along with 
the other members of the Tuskegee Airmen have certainly earned this 
distinction. I honor Willor Brown for his bravery in battle; his 
determination to succeed even with great barriers before him; and for 
the example he has set not just for African American or minority 
members, but for all of the men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed 
Forces. I join with a grateful Nation to thank Mr. Brown for his 
service to this country.

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