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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Ronald G. Waters |
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PLBC and members of the General Assembly honor Tuskegee Airmen
HARRISBURG, June 24 – Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Ronald G. Waters and members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly paid tribute yesterday to Philadelphia residents who served as fighter pilots in the famous Tuskegee Airmen unit during World War II.
Waters presented the honorees with citations from the House of Representatives during a ceremony on the House floor and Senator Shirley Kitchen, D-Phila. presented them with citations on the Senate floor.
The airmen honored were Henry L. Moore,
William M. Cousins, Bertram Levy, Pierce T. Ramsey,
Dr. Eugene J. Richardson, Dr. James R. Williams and Roscoe D. Draper.
Moore, Levy, Ramsey and Richardson accepted their citations on both the House and Senate floors.
The Tuskegee Airmen were members of the first African-American flying unit in United States military history. They trained at the segregated Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Ala. in the 1940s.
"I am very proud of what these military men have accomplished," said Waters, D-Delaware/Phila. "The dedication and commitment they put forth during a period of time when African- Americans were treated unfairly is a testament to their bravery, their sense of duty and their love of country."
A news conference and a luncheon for the airmen followed the presentations.
Moore said, "This is the highest form of recognition I have ever received from Pennsylvania. This is the highest honor I have received next to being one of President Barack Obama's guests at his inauguration."
Referring to the airmen's historic service to the nation, Waters said, "These acts need to be recognized and today's ceremony was just a small token of our appreciation for their efforts in the face of both war and other adversities.
"On behalf of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and all members of the House of Representatives and people of Pennsylvania, I am proud to give these men the honor and recognition they so richly deserve. It is long overdue."
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