Ron Klein: “I rise today to recognize Retired Lieutenant Colonel Leo Gray, a resident of Dania Beach and one of the original…”

“I rise today to recognize Retired Lieutenant Colonel Leo Gray, a resident of Dania Beach and one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the legendary African American fighter pilots of World War II. As you know, February is Black History Month, and it is up to all of us to recognize and celebrate achievements in black history. Lieutenant Colonel Gray and his colleagues are heroes not only of African American history but of American history. Their brave and daring missions over enemy territory contributed to our victory in World War II and helped convince President Truman to desegregate our military. The Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal, the Nation's highest civilian honor, in 2007 and were invited to witness President Obama's historic inauguration this January. Yet despite this recognition, Lieutenant Colonel Gray remains rooted in our south Florida community, attending public events to inspire the next generation of African American, and simply American, heroes.”