Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. Va Medical Center

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6863, a bill to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Memphis, Tennessee, the Lieutenant Colonel Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center''.

Luke Joseph Weathers, Jr., was born on December 16, 1922, in Grenada, Mississippi, but called Memphis his home from an early age.

Upon graduating from college, Luke Weathers joined a newly organized Army Air Corps training program. While there, he earned his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant and began his journey as a Tuskegee Airman.

Lieutenant Weathers flew with the Red Tails in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for escorting and defending a damaged B-24 bomber against eight German fighters in November of 1944. He shot down two of them.

Luke Weathers rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in a distinguished and highly rewarded military career.

He began a second career as an air traffic control specialist, and in 1965, he became the first Black air traffic controller in Memphis.

Throughout his life, he remained active with the Tuskegee Airmen and was a mentor to countless youth who had an interest in the military or aviation fields.

I cannot think of an individual more deserving to represent the VA presence in Memphis.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ELLZEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source