[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5775]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            WALT RICHARDSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of 
Chief Master Sergeant Walter H. Richardson, United States Air Force, 
Retired, who passed away on March 29, 2014.
  Walt--who built his life on three pillars of faith, hope, and love--
was dedicated to his country, his community, his family, and above all, 
to the Lord. I am privileged to honor a truly remarkable man and an 
American hero.
  Born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, Walt joined the Armed Forces 
to serve his country and help provide for his family. His career in the 
Armed Forces spanned 30 years and included service in the Korean and 
Vietnam wars.
  Walt was an original member of the revered Tuskegee Airmen, training 
at Tuskegee Army Airfield in a variety of disciplines that would serve 
him well throughout his entire career. A few years ago, I had the honor 
of presenting Walt the Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a 
Tuskegee Airman.
  During his time in the military, Walt was one of over 1,000 enlisted 
men selected to integrate the Armed Forces. Walt's unwavering 
commitment to service and immense leadership skills were recognized 
when, while stationed at Dover Air Force Base, he became the first 
African American to be promoted to the rank of master sergeant in the 
field maintenance squadron.
  He retired at the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, chief 
master sergeant, as the senior enlisted adviser to the commanding 
general of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field in 
Florida.
  Beyond his military service, Walt was an accomplished writer, whose 
personal memoir is titled, ``How Great Thou Art: A Black Boy's 
Depression-Era Success Story,'' in addition to his being a dedicated 
member of the northwest Florida community as he served as a deacon of 
St. Mary Parish in Fort Walton Beach for over three decades.
  Walt was known throughout the gulf coast as a kind and warmhearted 
man who was always helping his fellow citizens. To his family, he was a 
loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
  The legacy left by Walt Richardson and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen had 
a profound impact on the course of our history.
  Our Nation is proud and grateful for the brave men and women like 
Walt Richardson, who stared into the face of racial discrimination and 
said: We are one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and 
justice for all.
  Walt led an exemplary life of courage, service, patriotism, and 
devotion to faith and family, and his service to God, family, and 
country will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am humbled to 
honor Chief Master Sergeant Walter H. Richardson, United States Air 
Force, Retired.
  My wife, Vicki, and I send our sincerest condolences to his wife of 
60 years, Helen; to his eight children, Walter, Pat, Lillie, Carmen, 
Henri, Donna, William, and Carl; to their nine grandchildren; to their 
four great-grandchildren; and to the entire Richardson Family.

                          ____________________