Steven Holt: “I rise in support of H.R. 1259, authorizing the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to the…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1259, authorizing the President to award a gold medal on behalf of the Congress to the Tuskegee Airmen. At a time when their country did not see fit to protect their rights, these brave young men nonetheless served valiantly on behalf of all American citizens. During the Second World War, African-Americans were essentially second-class citizens in American society, and unfortunately this characterization did not end at the water's edge. Not permitted to train as aviators with their white comrades during World War II, 992 brave young men completed pilot training at Tuskegee's Moton Field, at the school founded by Booker T. Washington; 450 of these airmen were sent overseas for combat assignment, and 66 gave their lives during combat flights. The Tuskegee Airmen populated the famed 99th Fighter Squadron and saw combat duty in North Africa. Others joined the 332nd Fighter Group, which flew missions from bases in Italy. Still others served similarly important roles as mechanics, gunners, and engineers. Among these brave airmen are several individuals whose stories begin or end in the 12th Congressional District of New Jersey. As a young man, Robert Griffin worked at the local airport in Princeton, New Jersey, washing and refueling airplanes, earning just a few precious minutes of flying time per week.…”