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.

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) sub- mitted 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 terri- tory 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:05 Mar 24, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR249.IH HR249 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 249 IH Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen faced enormous adversity, from overcrowded classrooms to bigoted officers and seg- regated facilities; Whereas, during World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen flew over 15,000 combat sorties and saw extensive action in the European and North African theaters; Whereas 84 Tuskegee Airmen were killed in action, 12 died during training and noncombat missions, and 32 were taken prisoners of war after their planes were shot down; Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen earned 744 Air Medals, 14 Bronze Stars, and 8 Purple Hearts; Whereas, in 1945, Tuskegee Airmen in the 477th Bombard- ment Group staged a nonviolent demonstration to deseg- regate the officer’s club at Freeman Field, Indiana, and their nonviolent direct action would inspire later civil rights protesters; Whereas the Tuskegee Airmen’s battle against fascism abroad and racism at home has been called a ‘‘Double Victory’’ and led President Truman to issue Executive Order 9981, integrating the Armed Forces; Whereas four Tuskegee Airmen, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Daniel ‘‘Chappie’’ James, Lucius Theus, and Charles McGee, later became generals in the Air Force; Whereas, in 2006, a bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen ‘‘in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary re- form in the Armed Forces’’ was signed into law (Public Law 109–213); Whereas, in 2008, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site opened at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, to VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:05 Mar 24, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR249.IH HR249 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •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 Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 1 the designation of ‘‘Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration 2 Day’’. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:05 Mar 24, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR249.IH HR249 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB