Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Joins Members Of Congress And The President In Honoring The Tuskegee Airmen With The Congressional Gold Medal

(WASHINGTON, DC)Today, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) of the Sixth Congressional District, Members of Congress and the President will honor 400 Black World War II pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen, with the nations highest civilian honor the Congressional Gold Medal for their distinguished service to the country. Congressman Meeks will also have the honor of meeting with William Samber his constituent from South Ozone Park, Queens who will be honored for his heroic service as a Tuskegee Airman.

Only approximately 300 Congressional Gold Medals have been awarded since the first Medal was given to George Washington on March 25, 1776. Congressional Gold Medals recognize historic events or outstanding service to the nation by individuals or institutions. First recipients were military leaders, the medal is now bestowed upon actors, authors, musicians, explorers, doctors, scientist, athletes, humanitarians, lifesavers, public servants, and foreign recipients.

In 2006 Congressman Meeks co-sponsored and voted for legislation awarding the Tuskegee Airmen a Congressional Gold Medal for their unique military service, which inspired radical reform in the Armed Forces.

The Tuskegee Airmen overcame great obstacles to succeed in the Air Force. The prevailing thought of the era was that coloreds were not intelligent enough to operate combat aircraft. The airman excelled and became known by such names as the Black Birdmen and Black Redtail Angels for their reputation of not losing bombers to combat enemies. Their success as pilots is credited with encouraging President Harry S. Truman to end segregation in the U.S. military.

The President and Members of Congress will present the Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen collectively, in a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The medal will then be given to the Smithsonian Institution to be displayed for the American public.