Political Quotes

“On March 27, another outstanding member of America's Greatest Generation departed from this world. Lieutenant John Leahr--Johnny, as he was known--a lifelong Cincinnatian, is an example of an American we should all strive to emulate. Lieutenant John Leahr was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American fighter pilots that flew missions protecting Allied bombers over the skies of Europe during World War II. On March 27, 2009, 6 years before Mr. Leahr's death, the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Lieutenant Leahr had hoped that the successes of the Red Tails, as they were known, would shift the racial prejudices that African Americans faced before the war; but, after fighting fascism overseas, he had to continue fighting discrimination back home. Over the years, times changed, and the people of Cincinnati and our entire Nation began to recognize the heroism of Lieutenant John Leahr. I had the honor to get to meet John in recent years, and his story is remarkable, a story that needs to be told for unending generations. Today, I, with all of you, honor his courage and thank him for his unparalleled service. ____________________”