Edolphus Towns: “many people indicated earlier on that the blacks did not have the intelligence to be able to be involved in aviation…”

“many people indicated earlier on that the blacks did not have the intelligence to be able to be involved in aviation; and, of course, after a short period of time, they were proven wrong. I think about some of our great leaders who actually were a part of the Tuskegee Airmen. I think about Percy Sutton who was a great leader in the New York area and, of course, has done so many things for people. I think it came from his involvement with the Tuskegee Airmen and his being involved in Tuskegee University. Then Rosco Brown, who was known as one of the world's greatest educators, a person who headed one of our universities for a period of time; and I think about how all of them were involved with the Tuskegee Airmen. So there was no question about it. There were many that were qualified to do it, and they did a magnificent job. Their performance was unmatched, and I am so proud that this House today is recognizing them. I just want to say to the people who actually brought forth this resolution, I want to commend them on H. Con. Res. 26, because I think the time has come when we recognize the outstanding work of the Tuskegee Airmen. We should not just do it during the month of February because, first of all, when we think about their accomplishments, February is the shortest month of all. That within itself is sort of selfish.…”