[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO DR. GRANVILLE COGGS, MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR 
                                 CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Granville 
Coggs, member of the United States Army Air Corps, also known as the 
Tuskegee Airmen, on the occasion that the leadership of the United 
States Congress and the President of the United States presents to him 
the Congressional Gold Medal.
  The prestige and honor exemplified by this medal could not be more 
appropriate for a man of Dr. Coggs's stature. As a nation, we will 
forever be grateful for his service to our country from 1943 to 1946 as 
a member of the segregated Black United States Army Air Corps. It was 
here that Dr. Coggs was a member of the historic World War II fighter 
group known as the Tuskegee Airmen and earned military badges for 
aerial gunner, aerial bombardier and multi-engine pilot.
  Upon completion of his service, Dr. Coggs received his bachelor of 
science degree from the University of Nebraska in June of 1949. In June 
of 1953, he received his M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School, and 
has since had a celebrated career in medicine of the highest merit.
  Dr. Coggs's accomplishments are worthy of the honor represented by 
the Congressional Gold Medal and of equal importance, they are worthy 
of the praise and recognition of the American people. The role he has 
played in our country's history during one of its most difficult and 
trying times will never be forgotten. His desire to serve the country 
that he loves so dearly, and to do so at a time when many in our 
country doubted the skill, intelligence, and patriotism of our African-
American citizens, personifies the words bravery, valor, and courage.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. 
Granville Coggs and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen today as they receive 
the highly celebrated Congressional Gold Medal. We will forever be 
grateful to the role they have played in shaping our nation's history 
and for playing an integral role in the fight for social justice and 
racial equality in our Nation.

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