Katie Porter: “I thank the chairwoman for recognizing me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1170, which will designate the…”

“I thank the chairwoman for recognizing me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1170, which will designate the post office located at 1 League in Irvine, California, as the Tuskegee Airman Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Friend Memorial Post Office Building. I introduced this bill to honor the legacy of a true Orange County hero, Lieutenant Colonel Robert J. Friend. Before passing away in June of 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Friend was one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen who took to the skies during World War II as the first African American military aviators. The roughly 1,000 Tuskegee Airmen flew 15,000 combat sorties, destroyed 260 enemy aircraft, and received 150 decorations of the Flying Cross and Legion of Merit, fighting the Nazi Luftwaffe while simultaneously striking a blow against racism back home. Lieutenant Colonel Friend flew fighter aircraft for nearly 2 years during the war. During his 142 combat missions, he destroyed critical Nazi and Axis power military assets, helping move the U.S. and Allied forces toward victory during the war. Lieutenant Colonel Friend was the recipient of multiple military awards for valorous service, including the: Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star with Flying Cross, three Distinguished Service Medals, and Air Medal. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Friend and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.…”