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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 249 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

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;
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 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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the 
designation of ``Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day''.
                                 <all>
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