GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40149-LG-86
Short Title: Adopt Tuskegee Airmen Day. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Price.
Referred to:
*DRH40149 -LG-86*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO DESIGNATE THE FOURTH THURSDAY OF MARCH OF EVERY YEAR AS 2
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN COMMEMORATION DAY IN NORTH CAROLINA . 3
Whereas, in 1941 the federal government established the 66th Air Force Flying 4
School at Tuskegee Institute to train African-American pilots for the war; and 5
Whereas, from 1941 through 1946, almost 1,000 African-Americans trained at the 6
Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama; and 7
Whereas, 450 of the men who completed training at the Tuskegee Army Air Field 8
were sent overseas for combat duty; and 9
Whereas, pilots trained at Tuskegee Institute were known as "Tuskegee Airmen," 10
although this phrase also later included navigators, bombardiers, instructors, and maintenance 11
and support staff; and 12
Whereas, the 99th Fighter Squadron, the first class trained at Tuskegee Institute, was 13
sent to North Africa in the spring of 1943 for combat duty and in 1944, they were joined by other 14
African-American squadrons to form the 332nd Fighter Squadron, which flew missions over 15
Sicily, the Mediterranean, and North Africa; and 16
Whereas, the Tuskegee Airmen compiled an outstanding record, which included 17
completing more than 1,500 missions, destroying 260 enemy aircraft, sinking an enemy 18
destroyer, and demolishing other enemy installation areas; and 19
Whereas, the Tuskegee Airmen achieved an exceptional record for escorting bomber 20
crews and earned the respect of their fellow bomber crews and their military leaders; and 21
Whereas, on March 27, 2007, President George W. Bush awarded the Tuskegee 22
Airmen the Congressional Gold, the highest medal awarded by the United States Congress; and 23
Whereas, it is fitting that the State of North Carolina designate the fourth Thursday 24
of March, of each year, to honor and perpetuate the legacy of the men and women who 25
participated in the Tuskegee Experience from January 1941 through July 1949; Now, therefore, 26
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 27
SECTION 1. Chapter 103 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 28
section to read: 29
"ยง 103-19. Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. 30
The fourth Thursday of March is designated as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in 31
North Carolina." 32
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law. 33
H.B. 254
Feb 27, 2025
HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK