U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures introduces bill to rename post office in honor of Tuskegee Airmen

Second Lt. Gabe C. Hawkins, second from right, an Army instruction teacher, looks over a map before taking his students on a cross-country trip at Tuskegee, Ala., on Sept. 5, 1942. The cadets are being trained to join the first black combat unit in the U.S. Army Air Corps. (AP Photo)

U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Alabama) is introducing a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to rename a local post office in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen.

His bill would designate the U.S. Postal Service facility at 401 North Elm Street in Tuskegee as the “Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office”.

“Designating the Tuskegee Post Office as the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office is a meaningful way to honor the legacy of these trailblazing heroes, and I’m proud to do this on my first Veterans Day with the full support of Alabama’s congressional delegation,” Figures said. “The Tuskegee Airmen, whom I especially honor on my first Veterans Day, not only broke barriers in our armed forces but also inspired generations of Americans to serve with courage, integrity, and pride. This recognition ensures that their sacrifice, bravery, and historic contributions to our nation will never be forgotten.”

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps. The men flew more than 15,000 sorties throughout Europe and parts of Africa during WWII.  The Tuskegee Airmen also played a vital role in desegregating the U.S. Armed Forces.

There were more than 16,000 men and women who participated in the “Tuskegee Experience” training at Tuskegee Army Air Field in the 1940s and all are considered Tuskegee Airmen.

Figures says his bill has full, bi-partisan support of the Alabama House Delegation, including Democratic Congresswoman Terri Sewell as well as Republican Congressmen Barry Moore, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Dale Strong and Gary Palmer. It also has the support of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., he said.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for consideration.