PRINTER'S NO. 1640
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
296
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY KINSEY, BURGOS, WEBSTER, HILL-EVANS, DONATUCCI,
BIZZARRO, FRANKEL, KORTZ, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, HOHENSTEIN,
TOEPEL, KENYATTA, McNEILL, GROVE, LONGIETTI, RYAN,
SCHLOSSBERG, JAMES, COX, JOHNSON-HARRELL, MILLARD, BERNSTINE,
WARREN, HENNESSEY, RABB, PICKETT, FREEMAN, MACKENZIE, BARRAR,
KAUFFMAN, PASHINSKI, O'MARA AND STAATS, MAY 1, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 1, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating May 8, 2019, as "Tuskegee Airmen Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, During World War I, African Americans were
prohibited from serving as military pilots in the United States
Armed Forces due to their race; and
WHEREAS, In 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
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
their initial flight training at Moton Field, a segregated air
base in Tuskegee, Alabama; and
WHEREAS, Other Tuskegee Airmen would later form the famous
332nd Fighter Group, also known as the "Red Tails" due to the
distinctive red marking on the tail of their aircraft; and
WHEREAS, Between 1941 and 1946, nearly 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, The courage, dedication and service of the Tuskegee
Airmen men and women continues to inspire both military
personnel and civilians of all backgrounds throughout this
country; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May 8,
2019, as "Tuskegee Airmen Day" in Pennsylvania.
20190HR0296PN1640 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16