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PRINTER'S NO. 561
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
50
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY VULAKOVICH, ARGALL, BROWNE, DINNIMAN,
EICHELBERGER, FONTANA, GREENLEAF, MARTIN, RAFFERTY,
RESCHENTHALER, SCHWANK AND YUDICHAK, MARCH 21, 2017
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, MARCH 21, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American
military pilots who served honorably during World War II.
WHEREAS, During World War I, African Americans had been
prohibited from serving as military pilots in the United States
Armed Forces on account of their race; and
WHEREAS, On April 3, 1939, in response to advocacy by civil
rights leaders and the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People, the Congress of the United States approved
funding designated for the training of African-American military
pilots; and
WHEREAS, On March 22, 1941, the United States Army Air Corps
99th Pursuit Squadron was activated to become the first African-
American fighter squadron; and
WHEREAS, The members of the 99th Pursuit Squadron were the
first to be known as Tuskegee Airmen because they had received
their initial flight training at Moton Field, a segregated air
base in Tuskegee, Alabama; and
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WHEREAS, All African-American military pilots to be trained
at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, were known as Tuskegee
Airmen, and would later form the famous 332nd Fighter Group, who
were also known as the "Red Tails" due to the distinctive red
markings on the tails of their aircraft; and
WHEREAS, Between 1941 and 1946, approximately 1,000 African-
American military pilots were trained in Tuskegee, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more
than 15,000 sorties and lost 66 men in the line of duty, one of
the lowest loss records of any escort fighter group; and
WHEREAS, Today, the courage, dedication and service of the
Tuskegee Airmen continues to inspire both military personnel and
civilians of all backgrounds throughout this country; and
WHEREAS, March 22, 2017, marks the 76th anniversary of the
activation of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first of the
Tuskegee Airmen; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate honor the Tuskegee Airmen for their
courage, dedication and service to this country.
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