[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 141 (Thursday, October 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNUAL GATHERING OF THE MACON-THOMAS CHAPTER OF 
                        THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2013

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Macon-Thomas Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen as its members and the 
Greater Detroit community gather to honor its founders and celebrate 
another successful year.
   As the end of the 1930s approached, America faced unprecedented 
challenges in our nation's history--recovery from the Great Depression 
and the looming specter World War II--which threatened the values that 
all of us hold dear. The greatest generation responded to these threats 
with selfless sacrifice and unwavering determination to protect our 
country. The Tuskegee Airmen are a shining example of our greatest 
generation, rising above the divisions of that time to answer the call 
to serve their fellow citizens. The Tuskegee Airmen fought with the 
honor and valor becoming of any soldier in the United States Armed 
Forces and demonstrated that our differences pale in comparison to our 
shared ideals of equality and democracy. The record of the Tuskegee 
Airmen during World War II is exemplary and they were often on the 
front lines protecting American bombers to ensure they would be able to 
complete their missions.
   The Tuskegee Airmen were at the forefront of so many important 
events in our history--as fighter escorts for American bombers, as 
trailblazers in the efforts to integrate the United States Armed 
Forces, and as leaders in the Civil Rights movement that followed their 
return from World War II. Their determination and hard work paved the 
way for great steps forward in the endeavor to ensure that all 
Americans are treated and protected equally under the law.
   In the Greater Detroit region, our local chapter of the Tuskegee 
Airmen, Inc. is named after Captain Richard D. Macon and Lieutenant 
Colonel Donald C. Thomas, Jr.--two men who embodied the courage and 
tenacity of the American spirit. Their bravery not only secured our 
nation from harm and precipitated an incredible expansion of rights in 
our nation, but their determination to ensure continuing progress has 
led to a strong local chapter that has preserved the history of their 
achievements and inspired future generations of Americans from every 
community and ethnicity across our land to pursue a future in aviation 
and aerospace industries. Furthermore, the Macon-Thomas Chapter of the 
Tuskegee Airmen undertakes many programs that also help youth develop 
and hone their leadership skills to empower as a force for positive 
change in our society.
   Mr. Speaker, the bravery, courage and sacrifice of the Tuskegee 
Airmen are an inspiration to all of us who heed the call to serve our 
country. Their actions paved the way for great steps forward in our 
country's history and I am proud to honor the local Macon-Thomas 
Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen in West Bloomfield, Michigan. I 
congratulate its members and supporters on another year of great 
accomplishments and wish them continuing success in their future 
endeavors.

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