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Washington, D.C. — Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) joined President Bush and a host of national leaders Thursday in awarding the Tuskegee Airmen one of the nation’s highest honors for defending this country even as they faced bigotry at home.
Roughly 300 surviving veterans of the World War II-era unit were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at a standing-room only ceremony in the Capital Rotunda, the culmination of an effort begun by Rangel last year to recognize their bravery.
“To my heroes, so many of you have said thank you,” Rangel told the legendary aviators. “It doesn’t work that way. We cannot say enough thank-yous to you.”
Among those honored were New Yorkers Dr. Roscoe Brown, Percy Sutton and Lee Archer.
Speaking directly to President George W. Bush, who was present for Thursday’s medal presentation, Rangel said, “Your presence makes a difference because it is not just the office you represent, as president of this great country. “It means that we can’t go any higher to share with these great heroes the fact that it’s not people, it’s not politicians that are saying thank you. It’s our great country that is saying thank you.”
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