[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2515]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      SALUTING THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2001

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, February marks Black History Month and its 
arrival has afforded us the opportunity to spotlight some of the most 
courageous men in our nation's history. I am referring to the Tuskegee 
Airmen, African-Americans who were asked to simultaneously fight the 
institutionalized segregation of their homeland and the battle hardened 
pilots fielded by the Luftwaffe of dreaded Nazi Germany.
  On the very site where some nine thousand Republic Thunderbolt 
fighters were built during World War II, a permanent tribute has been 
created by the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, Long Island 
that salutes the valor and sacrifice of the Tuskegee Airmen. A full 
size replica of their P-51 fighter welcomes the museum visitor and 
helps explain the story of these amazing airmen.
  I was honored and pleased to be able to join members of the Tuskegee 
Airmen, and the many friends of Republic Airport and my constituents in 
dedicating this exhibit during Black History Month.
  Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,500 sorties and completed nearly 
1,600 missions and they are credited with never losing an American 
bomber to enemy fighters while flying escort. This tribute at the 
American Airpower Museum at Republic will forever remind us that racism 
did not deter these brave men from serving their country, defending our 
freedoms and protecting our future.
  In addition, credit must be offered to two companies that came 
forward to underwrite this effort--Equal and Avirex--whose support made 
this tribute possible. These firms reflect the type of public-private 
partnership that is ensuring our nation's heritage is preserved, 
protected, and celebrated. I congratulate them for their efforts and 
publicly salute their commitment to this task.
  The remarks of Lee Archer, a Tuskegee Airman ace who is credited with 
five kills, will ring forever at this historic defense plant. He 
repeated the words of fellow African-American Air Force pilot Chappie 
James, ``you agitate, you demand, you argue but when the country is in 
trouble you hold her hand.''

                          ____________________