[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 118 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING JOHN ALLEN OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 23, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to John Allen. Mr. Allen served with distinction and honor as one of 
the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He was unable to make it to Washington this 
past April to receive his Congressional Gold Medal and instead will be 
receiving it this coming Saturday in his home State of New Mexico.
  The Tuskegee Airmen participated in more than 15,000 sorties on 1,500 
missions. A thousand black pilots were trained at Tuskegee, and 
throughout World War II they shot down 111 German planes and disabled 
150 German aircraft on the ground. In this same time, 150 Airmen were 
lost in battle or training, 66 were killed, and 33 were shot down and 
held as prisoners of war. And in one of the most significant 
demonstrations of commitment to mission, the Tuskegee Airmen did not 
allow a single bomber it protected to be shot down. These men showed a 
prejudiced Nation that courage has no color.
  In his eagerness to serve, Mr. Allen exaggerated his age and was 
allowed to enlist in the Army. Even though he was younger than his 
fellow recruits, the Army noticed his remarkable intelligence and 
recommended he join the Air Corps where he was assigned to the 332nd 
Fighter Group. Mr. Allen never saw combat, but he did see hate. Despite 
their service, Tuskegee Airmen experienced bigotry and discrimination. 
Once, after eating at a whites-only officer's club, 103 Airmen were 
arrested and in spite of their clear commitment and patriotism, similar 
episodes marked the daily lives of black soldiers.
  Even the timing of this commemoration reminds us of the difficult 
situation the Tuskegee Airmen faced. This honor should have been given 
50 years ago. The failure of this country to properly honor these great 
men in a timely fashion speaks volumes about the legacy of injustice 
that made their sacrifice all the more remarkable. They fought for a 
country that wouldn't let them eat with white officers. They fought for 
a country that denied their sacrifice and dishonored their service. By 
honoring these men with the Congressional Gold Medal, we cannot undo 
the injustice that they have endured, but we can serve notice that we 
will not tolerate further injustice.
  Mr. Allen retired from the Weapons Safety Division at Kirtland Air 
Force Base in 2000. He spent his entire career serving his country. I 
wish him a happy retirement and hope that his example will continue to 
inspire each of us to serve our Nation and to use our lives to make our 
Nation better.

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