[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E41-E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REMEMBERING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

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                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 18, 2012

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we remember 
the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen in protecting our freedom and 
way of life during World War II. These heroic World War II veterans 
just recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of their first training 
session on July 19, 1941. It is important that we constantly remind 
ourselves of the sacrifices of veterans in pursuit of our liberty.
  The Tuskegee Airmen were not only heroes but pioneers, becoming the 
first African Americans to pilot and instruct others on how to fly 
combat aircraft. Though only approximately 140 Tuskegee pilots remain, 
it is essential we celebrate their accomplishments as a realization of 
the American Dream that inspired millions of African Americans, as 
Congress did in 1998 by establishing Tuskegee Airmen National Historic 
Site in Tuskegee, Alabama.
  The Tuskegee Airmen fought courageously for their country at a time 
when they were denied vital freedoms and liberties at home. They 
endured segregation and hostility from the local community, and 
especially stringent standards meant to exclude as many of them as 
possible from the piloting program. When they finally reached combat, 
they fought in segregated units, but still managed to distinguish 
themselves--engaging in over 200 bomber escort missions, damaging or 
destroying 409 German aircraft, and sunk a battleship

[[Page E42]]

destroyer. Their prowess became so legendary they were nicknamed the 
``Red Tails Angels,'' by the pilots they protected, as only the red 
back end of the aircrafts were visible while they flew in front of U.S. 
air bombers on their vital missions. After the desegregation of the 
military in 1948, the Tuskegee Airmen went on to make exceptional 
individual contributions in the integrated U.S. Air Force.
  I had the pleasure of attending the Tuskegee Institute of Technology, 
now Tuskegee University, the site of the training program for these 
brave young men, as an undergraduate. Tuskegee University has provided 
me and a multitude of African American youth with the most precious 
commodities in life, education and self-esteem.

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