UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS HB 28/GA
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HB002810.100 - 344 - XXXX 2/17/2023 10:28 AM GA
AN ACT relating to Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. 1
WHEREAS, prior to World War II, African Americans had very limited 2
opportunities in the defense of this nation, generally, with no roles in military aviation; 3
and 4
WHEREAS, when the United States entered World War II, African Americans 5
greatly desired more meaningful jobs in the military, including flying and maintaining 6
military aircraft; and 7
WHEREAS, the rapid expansion of aircraft production during World War II created 8
an urgent need for more trained military pilots; and 9
WHEREAS, the public outcry from the black population, black media, and fair-10
minded whites exhorted the War Department to extend the opportunity to fly airplanes to 11
all members of the military; and 12
WHEREAS, the United States War Department's Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) 13
program authorized colleges and universities to train students to fly, increasing the 14
number of civilian pilots and strengthening the nation's military preparedness; and 15
WHEREAS, in 1941, Tuskegee Institute in Alabama was one of six black schools 16
chosen to participate in the CPT program. Following the initiation of the program, the 17
Tuskegee Institute was selected to offer advanced CPT training and ultimately was 18
selected as the first site for segregated military flight training; and 19
WHEREAS, graduates of the CPT program at the Tuskegee Institute received their 20
silver wings and became known as the Tuskegee Airmen and later became known by the 21
German Air Force as the "Red Tail Devils"; and 22
WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen overcame seemingly insurmountable odds in 23
the form of pervasive racial and legal impediments during the World War II era in order 24
to make their contributions as pilots, navigators, and bombardiers; and 25
WHEREAS, the courageous African-American pilots of the 99th Pursuit Squadron 26
were recognized for their outstanding tactical air support and aerial combat before joining 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS HB 28/GA
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HB002810.100 - 344 - XXXX 2/17/2023 10:28 AM GA
with the 100th, 301st, and 302nd Squadrons in the world-renowned all-black 332nd 1
Fighter Group; and 2
WHEREAS, the Tuskegee Airmen's success in escorting and defending bombers 3
during World War II earned them one of the lowest loss records of all the escort fighter 4
groups and resulted in a constant demand for their services by the allied bomber units 5
flying dangerous missions deep into Germany and surrounding areas; and 6
WHEREAS, the achievements of the 99th Pursuit Squadron in combat include but 7
are not limited to the destruction of 111 aircraft (in the air), 150 aircraft (on the ground), 8
16 barges and boats, 58 box cars and other rolling stock, 57 locomotives, one radar 9
installation, and two oil and ammunition dumps; and the squadron's awards include 150 10
Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars, three Distinguished 11
Unit Citations, and 744 Air Medals and Clusters; and 12
WHEREAS, March is a special month for Tuskegee Airmen, as many of their most 13
notable accomplishments occurred in the month of March, including the first cadets 14
receiving their wings; the first maintenance crew beginning training at Chanute Field, 15
Illinois; the activation of the 99th Pursuit Squadron; and in 2007, President George W. 16
Bush presenting the Tuskegee Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal; and 17
WHEREAS, ten cadets from the original group of Tuskegee Airmen were born in 18
Kentucky, and several others lived in, attended college in, or had other ties to Kentucky; 19
NOW, THEREFORE, 20
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 21
ď˘SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 2 IS CREATED TO 22
READ AS FOLLOWS: 23
The fourth Thursday in March of each year is designated as Tuskegee Airmen 24
Commemoration Day. 25