08 LC 34
1875S
The
Senate Transportation Committee offered the following substitute to HR
1023:
A
RESOLUTION
Dedicating
certain portions of the state highway system; and for other
purposes.
PART
I
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.
PART
II
WHEREAS,
Roderick Steele was a slave boy born about 1847; and
WHEREAS,
Roderick Steele´s owner was James Potter, Trustee for I.A. Potter Estate;
and
WHEREAS,
slaves from the fields were used to help defend the Confederate line at Monteith
and obstruct the Augusta Road to Savannah as General Sherman marched from
Atlanta to the Sea and this was documented by Major Alfred L. Hartridge in
The Seige of
Savannah in December, 1864;
and
WHEREAS,
according to folklore, Roderick Steele drove the water wagon and provided water
to all Confederate and Union soldiers during the battle at Monteith;
and
WHEREAS,
the slaves´ assistance helped Confederate soldiers to detour General
Sherman´s army through Mulberry Grove Plantation; and
WHEREAS,
the actions of Roderick Steele and other slaves helped save Savannah from
destruction by prolonging General Sherman´s march to Savannah;
and
WHEREAS,
he is buried in the historic Richmond Church Cemetery which is located in Port
Wentworth, Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
it is only fitting that the life of this courageous man be memorialized by
dedicating a lasting monument in his honor.
PART
III
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA 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 viaduct from Monteith to Meinhart over I-95 in Port
Wentworth, Georgia, is dedicated as the Roderick Steele Viaduct.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is authorized and
directed to erect and maintain appropriate signs dedicating the road facilities
named in this resolution.
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
Department of Transportation, to the Atlanta Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen,
Inc., and to the North Port Wentworth Citizens Council.