Durbin Welcomes Tuskegee Airmen

Press Release

DURBIN WELCOMES TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today hosted a reception to honor 11 Illinois members of the Tuskegee Airmen in his Capitol office in D.C. The reception followed a ceremony in the United States Capitol Rotunda at which the Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor.

"Despite facing discrimination, the Tuskegee Airmen volunteered to dedicate their lives to serving our country," said Durbin. "The Tuskegee Airmen did more than just fly planes; they paved the way for millions of people of color. They are American heroes in every sense of the word."

The Tuskegee Airmen were the military's first black pilots. Their exemplary performance overturned racist assumptions about the abilities of African-Americans and ultimately led to the integration of the military. Illinois members of the Tuskegee Airmen were a driving force behind the creation of the National Organization of Tuskegee Airmen, which serves to honor and perpetuate the accomplishments of the group, introduce youth to aviation, and provide annual scholarships to deserving individuals. The Tuskegee Airmen are the largest group ever to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Honored at today's reception were: Charles McGee of Chicago, Beverly Dunjill of Chicago, Juilius Echols of Chicago, William Loving of Glencoe, John Lyle of Chicago, Robert Martin, Sr. of Chicago, John Rogers, Sr. of Chicago, Laverne Shelton of Chicago, George Taylor of Chicago, Shelby Westbrook of Chicago, and Oscar Wilkerson, Jr. of Markham.

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