This measure would proclaim March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in California.

This measure would proclaim March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in California.

This measure would proclaim March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in California.

WHEREAS, The first African American fighter pilots in the United States Armed Forces were known as the Tuskegee Airmen; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen, despite widespread racial discrimination in the 1940s which relegated them to second-class citizenship, demonstrated their deep patriotism by stepping forward for military service at a time in history when the United States faced the existential threat of world fascism; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen overcame racism and ingrained prejudice in the United States Army Air Corps to complete flight training at a period when much of the United States military leadership believed African Americans to be incapable of either operating fighter aircraft or of performing well in combat; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 1,500 missions during World War II and proved beyond doubt that African Americans were not merely competent, but extremely capable of operating in the high-stress environment of aerial combat, contradicting the conclusion of a 1925 Army War College Study that the Negro . . . is very subject to panic and is a rank coward; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen, once assigned to escort Fifteenth Air Force bombing missions over occupied Europe, developed such a reputation for effective close escort that bomber losses to enemy fighters decreased dramatically, leading individual bomber groups, not knowing the ethnicity of the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Red Tails, to specifically request them as escorts during bombing missions; and

WHEREAS, The pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group were collectively awarded 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses during World War II, and the unit as a whole was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations, with over 112 aerial victories credited to the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group combined, including three German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the first jets in combat; and

WHEREAS, The first graduating class of pilots, 2nd Lt. Lemuel Custis, Capt. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow, 2nd Lt. George Spanky Roberts, and 2nd Lt. Mac Ross, were awarded their wings on March 7, 1942; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 81st Anniversary of that first graduating class of five; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby proclaims March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, The first African American fighter pilots in the United States Armed Forces were known as the Tuskegee Airmen; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen, despite widespread racial discrimination in the 1940s which relegated them to second-class citizenship, demonstrated their deep patriotism by stepping forward for military service at a time in history when the United States faced the existential threat of world fascism; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen overcame racism and ingrained prejudice in the United States Army Air Corps to complete flight training at a period when much of the United States military leadership believed African Americans to be incapable of either operating fighter aircraft or of performing well in combat; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 1,500 missions during World War II and proved beyond doubt that African Americans were not merely competent, but extremely capable of operating in the high-stress environment of aerial combat, contradicting the conclusion of a 1925 Army War College Study that the Negro . . . is very subject to panic and is a rank coward; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen, once assigned to escort Fifteenth Air Force bombing missions over occupied Europe, developed such a reputation for effective close escort that bomber losses to enemy fighters decreased dramatically, leading individual bomber groups, not knowing the ethnicity of the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Red Tails, to specifically request them as escorts during bombing missions; and

WHEREAS, The pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group were collectively awarded 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses during World War II, and the unit as a whole was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations, with over 112 aerial victories credited to the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group combined, including three German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the first jets in combat; and

WHEREAS, The first graduating class of pilots, 2nd Lt. Lemuel Custis, Capt. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow, 2nd Lt. George Spanky Roberts, and 2nd Lt. Mac Ross, were awarded their wings on March 7, 1942; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 81st Anniversary of that first graduating class of five; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby proclaims March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, The first African American fighter pilots in the United States Armed Forces were known as the Tuskegee Airmen; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen, despite widespread racial discrimination in the 1940s which relegated them to second-class citizenship, demonstrated their deep patriotism by stepping forward for military service at a time in history when the United States faced the existential threat of world fascism; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen overcame racism and ingrained prejudice in the United States Army Air Corps to complete flight training at a period when much of the United States military leadership believed African Americans to be incapable of either operating fighter aircraft or of performing well in combat; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 1,500 missions during World War II and proved beyond doubt that African Americans were not merely competent, but extremely capable of operating in the high-stress environment of aerial combat, contradicting the conclusion of a 1925 Army War College Study that the Negro . . . is very subject to panic and is a rank coward; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen, once assigned to escort Fifteenth Air Force bombing missions over occupied Europe, developed such a reputation for effective close escort that bomber losses to enemy fighters decreased dramatically, leading individual bomber groups, not knowing the ethnicity of the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Red Tails, to specifically request them as escorts during bombing missions; and

WHEREAS, The pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group were collectively awarded 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses during World War II, and the unit as a whole was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations, with over 112 aerial victories credited to the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group combined, including three German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the first jets in combat; and

WHEREAS, The first graduating class of pilots, 2nd Lt. Lemuel Custis, Capt. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow, 2nd Lt. George Spanky Roberts, and 2nd Lt. Mac Ross, were awarded their wings on March 7, 1942; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 81st Anniversary of that first graduating class of five; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby proclaims March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 32

Author: McCarty (D), et al.

Introduced: 3/2/23

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 3/23/23

SUBJECT: Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution proclaims March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in California.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. The first African American fighter pilots in the United States Armed Forces were known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Despite widespread racial discrimination in the 1940s which relegated them to second-class citizenship, the Tuskegee Airmen demonstrated their deep patriotism by stepping forward for military service at a time in history when the United States faced the existential threat of world fascism.
2. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame racism and ingrained prejudice in the United States Army Air Corps to complete flight training at a period when much of the United States military leadership believed African Americans to be incapable of either operating fighter aircraft or of performing well in combat.
3. The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 1,500 missions during World War II and proved beyond doubt that African Americans were not merely competent, but extremely capable of operating in the high-stress environment of aerial combat.
4. They developed such a reputation for effective close escort that bomber losses to enemy fighters decreased dramatically, leading individual bomber groups, not knowing the ethnicity of the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the "Red Tails," to specifically request them as escorts during bombing missions.
5. The pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group were collectively awarded 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses during World War II, and the unit as a whole was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations, with over 112 aerial victories credited to the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group combined, including three German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the first jets in combat.
6. The first graduating class of pilots, 2nd Lt. Lemuel Custis, Capt. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow, 2nd Lt. George "Spanky" Roberts, and 2nd Lt. Mac Ross, were awarded their wings on March 7, 1942.
7. This year marks the 81st Anniversary of that first graduating class of five.

This resolution proclaims March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in California.

Comments

According to the author,

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American fighter pilots in the United States Armed Forces, who fought for their country during World War II despite facing racial discrimination before, during, and after their service. March 7th, 2023 marks the 81st anniversary of the graduating class of the first five Tuskegee Airmen members.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/11/23)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/11/23)

None received

Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520

4/12/23 13:59:21

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 32

Author:(McCarty)

As Introduced Ver:March 2, 2023

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Proclaims March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in California.

Major Provisions

1. The first African American fighter pilots in the United States Armed Forces were known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Despite widespread racial discrimination in the 1940s which relegated them to second-class citizenship, the Tuskegee Airmen demonstrated their deep patriotism by stepping forward for military service at a time in history when the United States faced the existential threat of world fascism.
2. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame racism and ingrained prejudice in the United States Army Air Corps to complete flight training at a period when much of the United States military leadership believed African Americans to be incapable of either operating fighter aircraft or of performing well in combat.
3. The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 1,500 missions during World War II and proved beyond doubt that African Americans were not merely competent, but extremely capable of operating in the high-stress environment of aerial combat.
4. They developed such a reputation for effective close escort that bomber losses to enemy fighters decreased dramatically, leading individual bomber groups, not knowing the ethnicity of the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the "Red Tails," to specifically request them as escorts during bombing missions.
5. The pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group were collectively awarded 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses during World War II, and the unit as a whole was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations, with over 112 aerial victories credited to the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group combined, including three German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the first jets in combat.
6. The first graduating class of pilots, 2nd Lt. Lemuel Custis, Capt. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow, 2nd Lt. George "Spanky" Roberts, and 2nd Lt. Mac Ross, were awarded their wings on March 7, 1942.
7. This year marks the 81st Anniversary of that first graduating class of five.

COMMENTS

According to the Author

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American fighter pilots in the United States Armed Forces, who fought for their country during World War II despite facing racial discrimination before, during, and after their service. March 7th, 2023 marks the 81st anniversary of the graduating class of the first five Tuskegee Airmen members.

Arguments in Support

None on file

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

No fiscal impact

VOTES

ASM RULES: 11-0-2

YES: Ramos, Waldron, Essayli, Dixon, Low, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Pellerin, Blanca Rubio, Valencia

ABS, ABST OR NV: Addis, Juan Carrillo

UPDATED

VERSION: March 2, 2023

CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0000030

Date of Hearing: March 16, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

James Ramos, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 32 (

Author:McCarty) – As Introduced Ver:March 2, 2023

SUBJECT: Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day.

SUMMARY: Proclaims March 7, 2023, and March 7 of each year thereafter, as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in California. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. The first African American fighter pilots in the United States Armed Forces were known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Despite widespread racial discrimination in the 1940s which relegated them to second-class citizenship, the Tuskegee Airmen demonstrated their deep patriotism by stepping forward for military service at a time in history when the United States faced the existential threat of world fascism.
2. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame racism and ingrained prejudice in the United States Army Air Corps to complete flight training at a period when much of the United States military leadership believed African Americans to be incapable of either operating fighter aircraft or of performing well in combat.
3. The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 1,500 missions during World War II and proved beyond doubt that African Americans were not merely competent, but extremely capable of operating in the high-stress environment of aerial combat.
4. They developed such a reputation for effective close escort that bomber losses to enemy fighters decreased dramatically, leading individual bomber groups, not knowing the ethnicity of the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the “Red Tails,” to specifically request them as escorts during bombing missions.
5. The pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group were collectively awarded 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses during World War II, and the unit as a whole was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations, with over 112 aerial victories credited to the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group combined, including three German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the first jets in combat.
6. The first graduating class of pilots, 2nd Lt. Lemuel Custis, Capt. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow, 2nd Lt. George “Spanky” Roberts, and 2nd Lt. Mac Ross, were awarded their wings on March 7, 1942.
7. This year marks the 81st Anniversary of that first graduating class of five.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800