[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15583]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF TUSKEGEE AIRMAN WILLIE ROGERS

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
service of an American hero from St. Petersburg, Florida, Tuskegee 
Airman Willie Rogers.
  Willie was the oldest remaining Tuskegee Airman from the original 
legendary 100th Fighter Squadron, the first African American military 
aviators in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces. He was a part of 
history, and I am saddened to hear he passed away recently at the 
incredible age of 101.
  Willie truly represented the Greatest Generation: humble, 
hardworking, and dedicated to his country and his family. He fought the 
Axis powers and
protected our freedom and our way of life, despite the disgraceful way 
the Tuskegee Airmen were treated.
  We would not be the Nation we are today without those who served, Mr. 
Speaker, and I would like to sincerely thank Willie and his family 
again for Willie's honorable service and his unwavering love of 
country.

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