08 LC 28
3800
House
Resolution 1023
By:
Representatives Holmes of the
61st,
Thomas of the
55th,
Sinkfield of the
60th,
Bruce of the
64th,
Beasley-Teague of the
65th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Dedicating
the Tuskegee Airmen Parkway; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
at the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the United States Army Air
Corps formed the 99th Fighter Squadron at Tuskegee Institute to train black
fighter pilots who, until that time, had not been accepted into pilot training
programs in the military; and
WHEREAS,
after receiving their training, the Tuskegee Airmen were sent to the European
Theatre of Operations in 1943 and served in combat in North Africa, Sicily, and
Europe; and
WHEREAS,
the Tuskegee Airmen became the first squadron to sink a naval destroyer with
only machine guns and the first to shoot down a German jet fighter during World
War II; and
WHEREAS,
by the end of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen had been credited with 261 enemy
aircraft destroyed; 148 enemy aircraft damaged; 940 units of enemy ground
transportation destroyed or damaged; 15,553 combat sorties in 1,578 missions
over North Africa, Sicily, and Europe; and more than 200 bomber escort missions
without losing a bomber to enemy fighters; and
WHEREAS,
the unit and its officers and enlisted personnel received three Presidential
Unit Citations, 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses and Legions of Merit, the Red
Star of Yugoslavia, nine Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars, and more than 700 Air
Medals and clusters; and
WHEREAS,
sixty-six of the Tuskegee Airmen were killed in combat, and another 33 were shot
down and held as prisoners of war; and
WHEREAS,
the unqualified success of the Tuskegee Airmen led to the eventual integration
of the United States armed forces; and
WHEREAS,
the superior record of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II was accomplished by
individuals who bravely accepted the challenge and proudly displayed their skill
and determination in the face of racism and bigotry at home and who continued to
contribute to this country after their military service in World War II;
and
WHEREAS,
the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., is an education and community service organization
dedicated to maintaining the traditions of the Tuskegee Airmen and preserving
the legacy of the first generation of African American military aviators of the
Second World War with 42 chapters throughout the United States, and it has
consistently provided inspiration, motivation, mentoring, and role models for
elementary, middle, and high school students in this country; and
WHEREAS,
it is only fitting and proper that Camp Creek Parkway in Fulton County from its
intersection with Fulton Industrial Boulevard to its intersection with
Interstate Highway 85 should be dedicated in honor of these brave
individuals as the Tuskegee Airmen Parkway.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA that the members of
this body recognize and honor the Tuskegee Airmen for their dedicated service to
this state and nation.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Camp Creek Parkway in Fulton County from its
intersection with Fulton Industrial Boulevard to its intersection with
Interstate Highway 85 is dedicated as the Tuskegee Airmen Parkway.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and
directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the Tuskegee Airmen
Parkway.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Atlanta
Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., and to the Department of Transportation.