[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING LEE HAYES OF THE TUSKAGEE AIRMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2007

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize 
a great American patriot and World War II hero, Lee Hayes, of the 
renowned Tuskegee Airmen.
  In 1941, the formation of the all African-American squadron based in 
Alabama, the Tuskegee Airmen, was largely regarded as an ``experiment'' 
by the U.S. military to test the combat readiness of an all-black 
fighting squadron. These brave servicemen demonstrated exceptional 
selflessness and patriotism as they fought two wars for our country--
one against the enemy overseas and the other against segregation and 
discrimination at home.
  Among the honors bestowed upon the Tuskegee Airmen include 150 
Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, 14 Bronze Stars, and 8 
Purple Hearts. Most recently, they were awarded the Congressional Gold 
Medal, the highest honor that the legislative branch can bestow.
  I am proud to call one of the Tuskegee Airmen a friend and neighbor. 
His name is Lee Hayes. He was raised on Long Island and is a current 
resident of Amagansett, New York. At 88 years young, Mr. Hayes was born 
in Mannboro, Virginia. In the 1930s, Lee's family moved to eastern Long 
Island, where he attended East Hampton High School.
  Lee Hayes developed an interest in flying planes at a young age, 
while keenly aware of the sad racial realities of the time. In his own 
words: ``I never thought much about whether or not blacks fly airplanes 
. . . It didn't occur to me that we didn't, and the more I thought 
about it, the more I wanted to do it.''
  After the Army drafted him and after scoring a 94 on the preliminary 
examination, Mr. Hayes impressed his instructors by quickly learning to 
fly the B-25 bomber. Mr. Hayes never entered combat, as the war ended 
shortly before he finished his pilot training. He was honorably 
discharged and returned to East Hampton.
  Madam Speaker, it is truly an honor to represent Lee Hayes in the 
U.S. House of Representatives. On behalf of a grateful nation, I 
encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring Lee Hayes and the 
Tuskegee Airmen for their extraordinary bravery and contributions to 
our Nation.

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