Reps. Upchurch and Blackshear's bill to designate March 29 as "Ohio Tuskegee Airmen Day" passes Ohio House

COLUMBUS– State Reps. Upchurch (D-Cleveland) and Willis Blackshear (D- Dayton) today announced the Ohio House passage of House Bill (HB) 137, which would designate March 29 as “Ohio Tuskegee Airmen Day” to honor the legacy and history of the service members that served as Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. 

“This bill is important because it is a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by the Tuskegee Airmen. They demonstrated courage and valor and this must never be forgotten” said Rep. Upchurch. 

In 1941, the Army Air Corps—under direction from Congress and FDR—formed the first all-black military pilot training program.  In the years between 1941 and 1946, over 1,000 African American pilots were trained at Tuskegee, Alabama and served as escort bombers during World War II.  Known as the “Tuskegee Airmen,” these brave pilots proved their extraordinary skill and courage by earning one of the lowest loss records of all the escort fighter groups and paved the way for the integration of the U.S. armed forces.

“The passage of HB 137 is important because it gives us the opportunity to continuously recognize the bravery, the sacrifice and the legacy forged by the service of Tuskegee Airmen, both in the state of Ohio and across America,” said Rep. Blackshear. 

The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for further hearings.