[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 127 (Friday, August 2, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE CRITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL JAMES C. 
                                 WARREN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2024

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication 
ceremony for the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial 
Interchange. In 2015, the Interstate-80/505 Interchange was officially 
named the Lieutenant Colonel James C. Warren Memorial Interchange, yet 
a physical sign designating the recognition and new name of the 
interchange was never established.
  Lt. Col. Warren began his 35 years of service in the U.S. Air Force 
during World War II as an original member of the 477th Bombardment, 
comprised of African American military pilots known as the ``Tuskegee 
Airmen.'' He flew over 12,000 hours and 173 combat missions, never 
failing to answer the call to serve our country.
  As a result of his bravery and aptitude, Lt. Col. Warren was selected 
as the navigator of ``Homecoming One,'' bringing home the first group 
of American POW's from North Vietnam. In 1971, when Apollo 14 landed on 
Earth, he was a member of the team that safely recovered the space 
crew. Lt. Col. Warren participated in countless crucial moments in our 
history and his selfless service undeniably solidified him as an 
American hero.
  Lt. Col. Warren's service alongside his fellow Tuskegee Airman was 
critical to the Civil Rights Movement and breaking down the barriers of 
segregation in the U.S. military. In 1945, Lt. Col. Warren and the 
Tuskegee Airman attempted to integrate an all-white Officers' Club at 
Freeman Army Airfield. The incident led to the arrest of 102 officers, 
including Lt. Col. Warren. This event is widely regarded as a seminal 
moment in the push toward full integration of the U.S. military and as 
a model for civil disobedience during the Civil Rights Movement.
  For his critical contributions to our country, Lt. Col. Warren was 
awarded numerous medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with 
two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with eleven Oak Leaf Clusters, and 
the Congressional Gold Medal. Lt. Col. Warren dedicated his life to 
serving our country, and his bravery and tenacity helped create a 
better, more equitable society for future generations of Americans.
  I am thrilled that the dedication for the Lieutenant Colonel James C. 
Warren Memorial Interchange will finally be completed. On behalf of 
California's Eighth Congressional District, I extend my sincere 
gratitude to Lt. Col. James C. Warren for his selfless service, 
advocacy, and tremendous impact on our country.

                          ____________________