[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 17, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Army 
Air Corps' legendary Tuskegee Airmen. On March 29, 2007, in the U.S. 
Capitol Rotunda, the surviving Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the 
Congressional Gold Medal, the most prestigious recognition that federal 
lawmakers can bestow. Tuskegee Airmen, from Colorado, that received the 
Congressional Gold Medal include: James E. Harrison, James H. Harvey 
III, Samuel C. Hunter Jr., Franklin J. Macon, John W. Mosley, Fitzroy 
``Buck'' Newsum, Marion R. Rodgers, David A. Smith, William A. Walters, 
and Randolph Edwards.
  The first African-American airmen unit in the U.S. military trained 
in Tuskegee, Alabama. A total of 450 Tuskegee Airmen served overseas on 
various missions. During WWII, the Airmen flew missions over North 
Africa, Italy and Sicily. Collectively, they flew more than 15,000 
combat sorties, shot down 111 German planes, and disabled 150 German 
planes on the ground. Thirty-three Airmen were shot down and held as 
paws, and 66 of the Airmen were killed.
  The Tuskegee Airmen got their start in 1941 after the NAACP filed a 
lawsuit. President Franklin Roosevelt started the Army Air Corps 
training program as the first African-American training program. The 
Airmen were segregated from other units and endured blatant racism and 
discrimination while helping win World War II and change our Nation for 
the better. Their achievements helped contribute to the eventual 
integration of African-Americans into the military and also helped lead 
the way for further desegregation throughout the Nation.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating James E. Harrison, 
James H. Harvey III, Samuel C. Hunter Jr., Franklin J. Macon, John W. 
Mosley, Fitzroy ``Buck'' Newsum, Marion R. Rodgers, David A. Smith, 
William A. Walters, and Randolph Edwards for their patriotism and 
service to the United States of America. Their triumph over racism and 
discrimination, along with their outstanding service, is inspirational, 
and they are a source of pride for America and for all of Colorado. I 
wish them continued health and happiness.

                          ____________________