[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING TUSKEGEE AIRMEN DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 2020

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Alabama State Legislature's joint resolution which recognizes March 7 
as Tuskegee Airmen Day. House Joint Resolution 120 will acknowledge the 
honor and valor of those Tuskegee Airmen who risked their lives in 
defense of our country, despite racism, prejudice and segregation.
  In 1941, a group of African American men in Tuskegee, Alabama, joined 
together to form an all-African American squadron of pilots known as 
the Tuskegee Airmen. This squadron fought fiercely overseas on behalf 
of the United States of America during World War II, proving that 
patriotism and love of country conquers even the cruelest forms of 
bigotry. Segregation barred African Americans from enlisting alongside 
white Americans, and prior to the Tuskegee Airmen, the United States 
had never had an African American military pilot.
  After being rejected from enlisting during World War I, African 
Americans spent more than two decades advocating for the right to 
enlist and train as military aviators. With help from the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, labor union leader 
A. Philip Randolph and Judge William H. Hastie, these advocates were 
successful in passing Appropriations Bill Public Law 18 with an 
amendment by Senator Harry H. Schwartz of Wyoming, which designated 
funds for training African American pilots. The money was then invested 
in civilian flight schools willing to train African American pilots.
  In June of 1941, the 99th Pursuit Squadron at Tuskegee University was 
founded. The unit consisted of 47 officers and 429 enlisted men who 
began primary training at Moton Field before moving to the Tuskegee Air 
Field about ten miles to the west for conversion training. Tuskegee Air 
Field mirrored existing all-white air fields like Maxwell Air Field 
only forty miles away, providing African American pilots with the same 
rigorous training as white Americans.
  Major Noel F. Parrish advocated for the Tuskegee Airmen to be allowed 
to enter into combat, petitioning Washington, D.C. on their behalf. 
Eventually, in 1943, the Tuskegee Airmen were deemed eligible for 
combat and were sent to North Africa to join the 33rd Fighter Group 
under the command of Colonel William W. Momyer. Given little guidance 
from experienced combat pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen flew toward Italy 
where they attacked the small and strategically located volcanic island 
of Pantelleria. The island eventually surrendered, and the Airmen flew 
on to Sicily, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation. The men went on 
to fight with heart and valor throughout World War II, proving to 
America and to the entire world that African Americans were just as 
capable as white Americans of serving their country. In many ways, 
these men displayed even more patriotism, as they actively fought to 
overcome barriers in order to serve and protect.
  The Tuskegee Airmen's legacy is one that should make the state of 
Alabama truly proud. These men are part of Alabama's remarkable legacy 
of advocating for civil rights, proving that the determination of 
African American Alabamians can charge the course of history, not only 
for our country but for the entire world.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I 
ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the exemplary 
service of the Tuskegee Airmen, and to the Alabama State Legislature 
for acknowledging their service through the passage of House Joint 
Resolution 120. May we celebrate the resilience and sacrifice of the 
Tuskegee Airmen not only on March 7, but every day.

                          ____________________