Bill

Bill > H254


NC H254

NC H254
Adopt Tuskegee Airmen Day


summary

Introduced
02/27/2025
In Committee
05/01/2025
Crossed Over
05/01/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT TO DESIGNATE THE FOURTH THURSDAY OF MARCH OF EVERY YEAR AS TUSKEGEE AIRMEN COMMEMORATION DAY IN NORTH CAROLINA. Whereas, in 1941 the federal government established the 66th Air Force Flying School at Tuskegee Institute to train African-American pilots for the war; and Whereas, from 1941 through 1946, almost 1,000 African-Americans trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama; and Whereas, 450 of the men who completed training at the Tuskegee Army Air Field were sent overseas for combat duty; and Whereas, pilots trained at Tuskegee Institute were known as "Tuskegee Airmen," although this phrase also later included navigators, bombardiers, instructors, and maintenance and support staff; and Whereas, the 99th Fighter Squadron, the first class trained at Tuskegee Institute, was sent to North Africa in the spring of 1943 for combat duty and in 1944, they were joined by other African-American squadrons to form the 332nd Fighter Squadron, which flew missions over Sicily, the Mediterranean, and North Africa; and Whereas, the Tuskegee Airmen compiled an outstanding record, which included completing more than 1,500 missions, destroying 260 enemy aircraft, sinking an enemy destroyer, and demolishing other enemy installation areas; and Whereas, the Tuskegee Airmen achieved an exceptional record for escorting bomber crews and earned the respect of their fellow bomber crews and their military leaders; and Whereas, on March 27, 2007, President George W. Bush awarded the Tuskegee Airmen the Congressional Gold, the highest medal awarded by the United States Congress; and Whereas, it is fitting that the State of North Carolina designate the fourth Thursday of March, of each year, to honor and perpetuate the legacy of the men and women who participated in the Tuskegee Experience from January 1941 through July 1949; Now, therefore,

AI Summary

This bill designates the fourth Thursday of March each year as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in North Carolina, officially recognizing the remarkable contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American military pilots, navigators, bombardiers, instructors, and support staff who served during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen were trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama from 1941 to 1946, with approximately 1,000 African-Americans completing training and 450 being sent overseas for combat duty. They achieved an exceptional military record, including completing over 1,500 missions, destroying 260 enemy aircraft, and earning significant respect for their escort missions protecting bomber crews. The bill acknowledges their historic significance, particularly noting that in 2007, President George W. Bush awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. By establishing this commemorative day, North Carolina aims to honor and perpetuate the legacy of these pioneering African-American servicemembers who played a crucial role in both the war effort and the advancement of civil rights in the United States.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (49)

Ed Goodwin (R)* Donnie Loftis (R)* Nasif Majeed (D)* Renée Price (D)* Jay Adams (R),  Eric Ager (D),  Amber Baker (D),  Cynthia Ball (D),  Mary Belk (D),  Jerry Branson (R),  Gloristine Brown (D),  Kanika Brown (D),  Terry Brown (D),  Allen Buansi (D),  Laura Budd (D),  Deb Butler (D),  Grant Campbell (R),  Becky Carney (D),  Maria Cervania (D),  Bryan Cohn (D),  Mike Colvin (D),  Patricia Cotham (R),  Allison Dahle (D),  Aisha Dew (D),  Julia Greenfield (D),  Pricey Harrison (D),  Zack Hawkins (D),  Beth Helfrich (D),  Julia Howard (R),  Frank Iler (R),  Ray Jeffers (D),  Ya Liu (D),  Brandon Lofton (D),  Carolyn Logan (D),  Tim Longest (D),  Jordan Lopez (D),  Jarrod Lowery (R),  Marcia Morey (D),  Ben Moss (R),  Garland Pierce (D),  Rodney Pierce (D),  Joe Pike (R),  Lindsey Prather (D),  Amos Quick (D),  Robert Reives (D),  Phil Rubin (D),  Julie Von Haefen (D),  Shelly Willingham (D),  Jeff Zenger (R), 

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (on 05/01/2025)

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