Sydney Kamlager-Dove: “I rise today on Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day to honor the extraordinary life and service of one of these brave…”

“I rise today on Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day to honor the extraordinary life and service of one of these brave aviators, Jerry Hodges, Jr. At a time when our Nation was thrust into World War II and in the thick of Jim Crow, Jerry stepped up to serve his country, joining the first group of Black military pilots in the U.S. Armed Forces. His commitment to challenging the status quo while supporting our Nation did not end with the war. After graduating from the University of Southern California, he helped lead one of the first African-American-owned insurance companies in California. His legacy of excellence, courage, and unwavering devotion to justice and equity has paved the way for generations of African Americans in uniform and beyond. That is why I am proud to introduce legislation to rename a Post Office in my district in his honor. As we pass by the future Jerry T. Hodges Post Office, may we be reminded to carry forward his legacy and strive to be changemakers in our own communities.”