[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 118 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. GIL LANGFORD

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                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2008

  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. 
Gilbert B. Langford, who died this week at the age of 82. One of the 
greatest honors in my time in Congress was awarding Gil the 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  At the age of 16, he was assigned at Tuskegee Air Base later earning 
his wings and the honorable right to call himself a Tuskegee Airman. He 
ended his distinguished career as a 1st lieutenant acquiring the skills 
as a pilot, navigator, and bombardier.
  As a civilian, he became one of the first black engineers for General 
Electric and served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Energy 
while working for the Department of Defense.
  Gil was a true American hero and will be missed most by his three 
children and six grandchildren. Gilbert Langford unselfishly gave every 
fiber to his country, and still believed he could give more.

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