[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 3653-3654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE BAY AREA ORIGINAL TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 8, 2004

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 23 original San 
Francisco Bay Area Tuskegee Airmen. Tomorrow, March 9, 2004, marks the 
celebration of Tuskegee Airmen Day in Oakland. On behalf of the 9th 
Congressional District, I would like to thank them for their tireless 
and devoted service.
  The Tuskegee Airmen are a noble and proud group. Their legacy as the 
first African Americans ever to qualify as fighter pilots is remarkable 
and worthy of preservation. These efforts helped pave the way for 
generations of African-American soldiers, officers, pilots, sailors, 
and Marines. The Tuskegee airmen didn't lose a single bomber they 
escorted during the World War II.
  Further, their story holds many valuable lessons to be shared with 
future generations. The

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principles of life, liberty, and democracy that they fought for and 
strengthened serve us all today. After liberating Europe, they returned 
to their homes and hearths to pursue the fight for equal rights, for 
which we are in their debt.
  The Bay Area Original Tuskegee Airmen are: Reuben B. Bilbo, Samuel 
Broadnax, Dr. Richard Caesar, William A. Campbell, Le Roy Gillead, 
James C. Goodwin, Arthur C. Harmon, Calvin C. Hobbs, Harold Hoskins, 
George J. Iles, Alvin J. Johnson, Dr. Wendell Lipscomb, Robert A. 
Matthews, Fred L. McLaurin, Adolph J. Moret, Jr., George W. Porter, 
Leon Spears, Morris T. Tatum, James A. Walker, James C. Warren, 
Theodore Wilson, Lester Williams, and Leona F. Woodward.
  Finally, as we honor these brave veterans today, I want to honor 
their contributions as men, fathers, medical doctors, professors, 
artists, engineers, technicians, and researchers. I take great pride in 
joining their families and friends to recognize and celebrate the many 
accomplishments and contributions of the Bay Area Original Tuskegee 
Airmen. God bless them all.

                          ____________________