IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 249 

Expressing support for the designation of March 23, 2023, as ‘‘Tuskegee 

Airmen Commemoration Day’’, and calling on each State, the District 

of Columbia, and each territory to recognize the Tuskegee Airmen for 

their heroism, valor, and exemplary service to the Nation. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 23, 2023 

Ms. NORTON (for herself, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mrs. BEATTY, Ms. 

BROWN, Mr. CARSON, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Ms. 

JACKSON LEE, Mr. NORCROSS, Ms. PORTER, and Ms. SEWELL) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Oversight and Accountability 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of March 23, 2023, 

as ‘‘Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day’’, and calling 

on each State, the District of Columbia, and each territory to recognize the Tuskegee Airmen for their heroism, 

valor, and exemplary service to the Nation. 

Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen were Black pilots, aircrew, 

ground crew, and support personnel who served in the 

Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1949; 

Whereas 992 Tuskegee Airmen graduated flight training at 

the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, and 

450 pilots deployed into combat overseas; 


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•HRES 249 IH 

Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen faced enormous adversity, 

from overcrowded classrooms to bigoted officers and segregated facilities; 

Whereas, during World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen flew 

over 15,000 combat sorties and saw extensive action in 

the European and North African theaters; 

Whereas 84 Tuskegee Airmen were killed in action, 12 died 

during training and noncombat missions, and 32 were 

taken prisoners of war after their planes were shot down; 

Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen earned 744 Air Medals, 14 

Bronze Stars, and 8 Purple Hearts; 

Whereas, in 1945, Tuskegee Airmen in the 477th Bombardment Group staged a nonviolent demonstration to desegregate the officer’s club at Freeman Field, Indiana, and 

their nonviolent direct action would inspire later civil 

rights protesters; 

Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen’s battle against fascism 

abroad and racism at home has been called a ‘‘Double 

Victory’’ and led President Truman to issue Executive 

Order 9981, integrating the Armed Forces; 

Whereas four Tuskegee Airmen, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., 

Daniel ‘‘Chappie’’ James, Lucius Theus, and Charles 

McGee, later became generals in the Air Force; 

Whereas, in 2006, a bill to award the Congressional Gold 

Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen ‘‘in recognition of their 

unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces’’ was signed into law (Public 

Law 109–213); 

Whereas, in 2008, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic 

Site opened at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, to 


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•HRES 249 IH 

commemorate and interpret the heroic actions of the 

Tuskegee Airmen; and 

Whereas very few Tuskegee Airmen are still alive today to 

share their story of courage and bravery with younger 

Americans: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 

2 the designation of ‘‘Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration 

3 Day’’. 

Æ 


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