[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1457]]
           TRIBUTE TO TUSKEGEE AIRMAN LEON ``WOODIE'' SPEARS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2008

  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Leon ``Woodie'' 
Spears, a Tuskegee Airman whose death on May 12, 2008 saddened an 
entire community. Mr. Spears, a resident of Hayward, California, was a 
member of the legendary African American fighter group known as the 
Tuskegee Airmen, who flew for the U.S. Army Air Force during World War 
II. Later in life, he traveled all over the country to speak about his 
life and inspire people with his ``Dare to Dream'' theme.
  Mr. Spears, affectionately known as ``Woodie,'' was born in Colorado 
in January of 1924. He grew up near the Pueblo Municipal Airport, where 
he first heard the drone of a plane as a six-year-old and discovered 
his desire to fly. Overcoming great racial barriers, he gained entry to 
the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and became a member of the first 
African American group of pilots in U.S. military history.
  In 1943, he succeeded as a student at Tuskegee and received his 
flight wings. Mr. Spears flew 51 combat missions in World War II and 17 
in the Korean War. He retired as an Army captain. During his career he 
was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart, several Air 
Medals and was among the Tuskegee Airmen who received the Congressional 
Gold Medal from President Bush in 2007. He later served as an 
ambassador for the Tuskegee Airmen, where he made the elite unit come 
alive again, even for those who knew nothing of its history.
  After retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Spears worked for the U.S. 
Postal Service for 35 years, and later traveled throughout the country 
talking about his life and experiences. Last year alone he made 44 
appearances.
  Leon ``Woodie'' Spears will be long remembered for his patriotism, 
his enormous courage, his commitment to excellence and his dedicated 
tours of duty. We owe him a debt of gratitude for being a Tuskegee 
Airman and for leaving us with a rich history that we shall never 
forget.
  I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Spears' family. He touched many 
individuals throughout the country who were fortunate to know him and 
to learn a vital part of history from his ``Dare to Dream'' lectures. 
Countless admirers were inspired by his courage and unwavering 
commitment to service. He will be missed.

                          ____________________